January 28, 2009 What Is My Witness?
Today’s Bible Reading: Exodus 23–24; Psalm 14; Acts 5
Scripture Focus:
Exodus 24: 9–11 Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity . . . So they saw God, and they ate and drank.
Acts 5:32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.
Observation:
A witness is someone who sees and then reports on what he sees.
In Exodus Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders see God and eat and drink in his presence, yet I already know what happens a few chapters down the road. Aaron makes a golden calf and says “Here is your god that brought you out of Egypt.”
In contrast you have the disciples in Acts saying to the rulers of Israel, who have the power of life and death over them, “We are His witnesses to these things (the resurrection of Jesus)” and they choose to obey God in the face of persecution.
Application:
It’s possible to experience the presence of God and then act in a way that is totally at odds with that. On the other hand, it’s possible to be an effective and true witness. A past experience doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll choose to trust in God today.
Prayer:
Abba Father, may I be one who is a faithful witness to the truth in all circumstances, even when facing persecution or when I find myself in circumstances that would tempt me otherwise.
