You are my witnesses

A witness according to the Chambers Dictionary is 'one who sees or has personal knowledge of a thing; one who gives evidence.' God has appointed us as his witnesses - the ones to go out and share the message of hope to a dying world, a world blinded by Satan. Are you aware of your role as a principal witness? Don't you know there is someone out there who needs to be strengthened by your testimony? Listen to God's declaration. "You are my witnesses and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:10-11) God is unique and incomparable in his category. He alone can save.

God would not have appointed you if there was no reason for a witness or if you have had no evidence of his power and his might in your life or if you had not experienced him personally. The choice is his, he chose you.

He didn't have to wait for your consent on the matter, nor did he have to consult you to carry out such an assignment. We are his servants who should be obedient to their master. He sends and we go.

In his declaration he stated that he wanted us to know, believe and understand that he is God. These three phases denote a progressive move. We familiarise ourselves with something when we get to know it thoroughly. It is only then we can say we believe in its potentials. It is hard to believe what you have not had an encounter with. Knowledge is a stage in the conviction process. After you have acquired knowledge, you will believe because now you understand the workings.

God has put in each of us the mechanism that would enable us to operate in this realm. We perceive, feel and can fathom the things of God. One does not have to go to school to learn these things. The person who does not experience God in and around him is completely shut out from this world which God created.

"I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I am God." (Isaiah 43:12)

With his mighty hand he had freed the Children of Israel from the yoke of four centuries of slavery under Pharaoh.

He had delivered them through the Red Sea as the Egyptian army gave chase, led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to shield them from their enemies. He had fought their battles for them against fierce opposition from pagan nations as they journeyed from Egypt through the desert to take possession of the Promise Land. "Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)

There was no doubting this, because he had instructed that these deeds be passed on from generation to generation. He had ordered that these events be taught to their children and grand children. "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." (Deuteronomy 4:9) Our God is a mighty God like none other. His credentials are proven. Look to your life and read the Bible, see his mighty hand at work.

During the forty years that the Children of Israel journeyed through the desert, they never farmed or cooked, and their clothes and shoes never wore off. Incredible but true. Many a times he reminded them of his goodness towards them; particularly when they turned from him to worship foreign gods. "Who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery:

He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert. (Deuteronomy 8:14-16) After all you have seen God, the Almighty, do, how can you behave this way?

God's deeds were current currency in those days. Rahab, a prostitute living in Jericho, witnessed to the Israelites in these terms when twelve of them entered the country as spies on a reconnaissance mission. "We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt and what you did in Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed." (Joshua 2:10) She went on further to attest; "When we heard of it our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below." (Joshua 2:11)

These were some of the accounts that had been transmitted as part of Israel's oral history to those who did not know or have not heard of the miracles God, the Jehovah, performed on behalf of his chosen people Israel. "Yes, from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" (Isaiah 43:13) 

You could not have been an eyewitness of God's glory and not find it awesome. You could not have been a subject of his grace and have your lips sealed. He chose you for a purpose that others may hear from your lips the goodness of his grace. From a song writer's pen we read; 'I have tasted of your goodness, I have tasted of your grace; I have seen your loving kindness in so many ways.

I have waited in your presence, and I will never be the same. And all I have to say is you are good.' Yes, the Lord has been good to me and I have only praise on my lips for him.

I know he has been gracious to you also. We need to tell it to others from the mountaintop so that others may come to know the reason for your joy.  

God reminded the Israelites who were boasting: "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers as it is today." (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)

Praise singer, cheerleader who are you a witness of? Whose deeds are you edifying the people of God with? Witnessing for God is a full time employment we are called to engage in by our lives and our examples. Tell others about what God has done in your life.