Testify!

Testify!

“How great you are, Sovereign Lord ! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 2 Samuel 7:22 NIV

A little context: David had fought several wars and now God had given him peace all around. He then thought of building a befitting place for the ark of God. Could it be that David couldn't do anything for the ark because he was always at war? When I pray for peace and comfort all around, what's my motivation? Is it for the pursuit of personal pleasure or the pursuit of the things that glorify God? What does comfort and convenience do to you: lure you away from God or push you towards even greater dependence on God?

Nathan the prophet went back to deliver God's message to David: "I have never asked any king to build a house of cedar for me. I have dwelt in tents and tabernacles all these years". As important as physical spaces are, they are not a replacement for the Presence of God. If God is not there, it doesn't matter how much has gone into the building. What is my focus: the physical building or the building God is working on in me; the temple that should bear his Presence daily? If the Lord were to come knocking on the door of your heart now, would you be able to throw the door open wide and invite Him in? Can God be pleased to dwell in your heart as it is now? With what is happening now, it is clear that truly, God isn't so much interested in our schemes as He is in our spiritual growth. 

David was promised an eternal kingship. In fact, David's walk with God sealed the kingdom for his generation. If you think what you do today doesn't matter, think of David. When you are tempted to think that nobody is watching you, remember: you deal with a God of absolute knowledge. Nothing is hidden from Him, and nothing is excluded from His judgement. 

Of course, as is the custom with David, and the basis why he was called a man after God's heart, he sat before God and praised Him. Do the things happening around you cause you to complain or to cry to God? Does it lead to pressure or praise? It takes a personal experience of God to speak out the words of today's extract.  If you have never experienced God's awesome power, how would you know there is none like or beside Him? If you have never been under pressure and then had miraculous deliverance, how would you testify to the power and greatness of God? Do you even have a personal experience of this God, or all you have are the testimonies of other people? Testimonies are good, but they cannot replace a personal experience of God. 

As I live from day to day in these strange times, I ask God for his mighty hand to be evident upon my life. I will testify of the mighty and great things that are in store for me, as well as the amazing things that are happening right now. Indeed, there is none like Him, and the world will only get to know more about Him when my life reflects His glory, power and grace. There is none like or beside Him, and no matter how hard or far you search, there is nobody who can do the things He can do or has done. All the praise belongs to Him. Is my life reflecting that understanding? Is yours? His time of favour is here.