Testimony is powerful. It is personal, precious and life changing. What happens when we speak out our testimonies? What impact do the testimonies of God have upon our lives, and how do we keep the testimonies of our God? Here are a few thoughts.

Testimony gives us delight in God.

Psalm 119 is filled with mention about the “testimonies of God”. The Hebrew word used for “testimonies” here is edah (עֵדָה). It describes a witness, a divine charge. When I share the testimonies God has given me, I share His witness, and His character. It causes me to see and remember the goodness of God in all He has done and in how He has revealed Himself. It inspires me to worship and thanksgiving. God’s testimonies – the laws that testify of who He is, give me delight because they lead me towards Him and help me to know Him more. His testimonies – the witness of His majesty that He reveals to me, gives me joy in Him and causes me to praise His Name.

[Psalm 119:2] – “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!”

[Psalm 119:24] – “Your testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.”

[Psalm 119:46] – “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”

[Psalm 119:99] – “I have more understanding that all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditations.”

[Psalm 119:119] – “You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies.”

[Psalm 119:129] – “Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them.”

[Psalm 119:144] – “The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding and I will live.”

[Psalm 119: 167-168] – “My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.”

Testimony claims victory over the enemy.

In speaking about the saints, Revelation 12:11 says this:

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Testimony is a weapon against the enemy. It is proof that God cares, God acts, and God loves us. We have a testimony in Christ – that He overcame the grave and paid the full price for all sin so that we can stand holy and blameless before the Father. We have testimonies in our lives – times when we irrefutably know that God spoke to us, intervened in a situation, or revealed Himself to us. When we are facing discouragement and tough situations, we can claim victory over the enemy by proclaiming the truth God gives us through His testimonies. We know that if our God is for us, none can be against us. We know that God has already won the victory. We know that we are loved by God, that He knows us fully, and that He works all things for the good of those who love Him.

King David, in the midst of His troubles, took time to remember the testimonies God had given him, and then to proclaim God’s victory in His life and in His situations. We can do the same.

[Psalm 77:10-15] –
“And I said, “This is my anguish;
But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
I will remember the works of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.
Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?
You are the God who does wonders;
You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
You have with Your arm redeemed Your people,
The sons of Jacob and Joseph.”

Testimony grows and encourages.

Testimony is to be shared – that is, the witness of the cross, and the good things God does in and through us. The Bible is filled with testimonies of God’s love in word and action, seen in the lives of so many different people. Paul, in his letters to the churches, continually shares testimonies of God’s goodness. As he does so, he encourages them, stirs them up to good works, and affirms their faith in Christ. When I hear testimonies of how God has worked in someone else’s life, I rejoice with them and praise God. It fires up my faith, causes me to remember God’s working in my own life, and challenges me at times to seek after God more. When I share my own testimonies with others, I am filled with joy to proclaim God’s faithfulness. I cannot help but share what God has done for me. I cannot help but proclaim His Name. I cannot help but to declare the greatness of God who has loved me so deeply, and who also loves the world.

[Galatians 6:6] – “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”

[Matthew 5:16] – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

[Hebrews 10:23-24] – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…”

Testimony bears witness of God and confirms His truth in our life. It strengthens our faith, fills us with joy, and makes us unafraid to proclaim the glory of God in all the earth. It is Word – a sword to overcome the enemy. It is Water, that grows us closer to God in intimacy. It is Wisdom – that leads us into the revelation of Christ. Testimony is confidence in God who whose love has overcome, the assurance of His everlasting kingdom.