His Testimonies ~ Its Importance

Happy extremely belated NEW YEAR, everyone!  I hope your year is starting off well.  More than that, I hope your relationship in CHRIST is the solid foundation in all that you do and all that you commit to.

My absence in blogging this past month was greatly needed.  The LORD has worked amazingly in my life recently (beyond anything I have experienced in my walk with Him thus far), and I needed this time to stay focused on Him.  He has REVIVED me and I am truly falling IN LOVE Him more each day!  Consider these verses from Psalm 119:

• “How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart.”
• “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.”
• “Take away reproach and contempt from me, For I observe Your testimonies.“
• “Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my counselors.”
• “I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!”
• “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to dishonest gain.”
• “The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.”
• “I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.”

The Hebrew word for testimonies is ‘edah [H5713], which means something that testifies, testimony, a precept.  It comes from the root word is ‘ed [H5705,] which means witness, testimony (what testifies).

Over the past year specifically, the LORD was heavily at work in me to show me how important it was to start the day with prayer and being in His Word.  I was “hearing” Him, but not being a “doer” of what I knew He was commanding me to do.  (Thank you dear LORD for your abundant grace and mercies!)  But by His grace, around the middle of this past December, I finally began to commit to this time with Him.  And since then, words cannot truly express the utter JOY and LOVE that has abounded towards the Father!!  I cannot explain this change  in a way that could truly do it justice — only that I am finally experiencing such amazing DEPTH, INTIMACY in Him, beyond anything I have ever experienced thus far in my relationship with Him.  It truly is glorious!

How did this happen?? It happened when I seriously considered His testimonies through His Word and even through lives I’ve read in various resources (books, websites, etc).  The testimonies of men and women OF PRAYER who have sought the LORD with all of their heart was a shining LIGHT that would illuminate my soul .  I have read testimonies of many Godly men and women over the years.  And God has used their examples mightily as “counselors” (Psalm 119: 24) for specific lessons in my life.

I realize that I am a weak and fallible woman and can stumble in an instant.  I am thankful to the work of the Holy Spirit sanctifying me daily!  I look forward to an ever growing and ever deepening faith in Christ.

If you are struggling in your private time with the LORD in prayer and His Word, I encourage you with all your heart to SEEK Him and HUNGER for this time with Him.  It is VITAL to the strength of your walk and soul!  For your encouragement, here are some of the “testimonies” the LORD has used for this specific struggle in my life:

• www.lainesletters.com (I read all the letters she wrote on morning prayer, getting up early, time with the LORD, etc)
• Paul Washer’s sermon:  Busyness & Spiritual Discipline
• J.C. Ryle’s “A Call to Prayer” article
• J.C. Ryle’s “Holiness” book
• His Word – specifically the book of Romans
• His Word – memorizing all of Psalm 119  (currently in progress)
• His Word – Proverbs 31 woman
• George Mueller’s life (Christian Heroes:  Then & Now book)
• First We Have Coffee book by Margaret Jensen

Let us not lose sight of this important aspect of God’s Work —- His Testimonies!   And may we be nourished daily in His Word and in prayer with Him.

In the blessed love and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ,

Soli Deo Gloria!

1. Rebekah says:

   January 30, 2010 at 11:40 pm

   Goodness have I fallen behind!! :p I just caught up on all your posts!! And… you have TWITTER?!? *faints* (only you don’t use it it looks like…)

   :D

   To the KING be all the glory!
   Rebekah

   BLOG: http://www.donotgrowweary.com/blog

   “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15