Come and Listen

Psalm 66:16 says, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.”  Earlier in the psalm, the writer exhorts us to “Shout with joy to God,” “Sing the Glory of His name,” and “make His praise Glorious.”

Attending Thai worship services is a rich experience.  One of the parts of the service I treasure, that all of congregations have, is testimony time.  I don’t understand the person testifying most of the time, but I love that time is set aside for God’s people to speak about what God is doing in their lives, about His faithfulness and goodness.

On our first visit to each of the churches, one or both of us were expected to get up and give a testimony, to speak about God to His people.  This caught us a little off guard, no one warned us.  But it shouldn’t have.  We have so much to be thankful for that His praise should be continually on our lips.  We are told to always be ready to give an answer for the hope we profess.  Jesus told us to continually abide in Him, a state of being that should afford us plenty to say about the One who is always with us and always interceding on our behalf.

When I was a child, testimony time was a part of church.  I remember Sunday evenings when congregation members would get up and speak about the healing of an illness, comfort through a trial, provision for a need, or the faithfulness and goodness of God.  Some testimonies were the same every week, but the faithful saints still stood up and offered public praise to God.

It makes me sad to think that we’ve lost this aspect of worship in our gatherings.  David speaks over and over about praising God in the assembly. Giving voice to our thankfulness and awe of God in our own words is important.  Why?  Because If I can’t stand up before my brothers and sisters in Christ and give God glory for who He is or what He’s done (and there’s always something to praise Him for), how ready will I be to testify to world?  If I’m hesitant and uncomfortable with those who already love Jesus and know how much they owe to Him, how bold will I be in praising God, in telling about what He means to me or has done for me to those who know nothing of God and may even be “offended” by my testimony?

And how will they know? How will they hear if I am silent? If we are silent?  In John 15:27, Jesus said, “And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”  I’ve been with Jesus for a very long time.  I must testify.

So, come and listen to what God means to me.  God is so, so good!  Jesus has saved and redeemed me, forgiven me of every sin and is working His holiness in me every day, molding me into His image.  He speaks to me through His word, teaching me who He is and loving me with every word.  He has faithfully provided for me and for my family at every turn and in every situation, providing homes and schools and resources as we need them. The Holy Spirit guides me and my husband, and has taught us how to be married, how to speak to each other, how to work through conflict, how to give and love. God has parented my children so much better than I ever could have on my own.  The Lord has given me friends, brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me, who teach me, who love me along the way.  He has placed me in His body, the Church.  He has taught me to love.  He hears my prayers and knows my heart better than I do.  God has brought me to a place that is new and unknown, but He is known and unchanging. I know that I can trust Him to continue to guide, direct, teach, protect and provide.  I know that He is good.  He is faithful. He is sovereign.

So, what about you?  How has God worked in your life?  How is He working today?  What are you trusting Him for right now?