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The Old Testament is full of man’s experiences with God. Still today, God interacts with people. Not just in mountain top worship, but daily in our life.
Why does God interact with us, allowing us to experience Him in such a personal way instead of just letting us read stories about other people walking with Him?
These experiences are not meant to be locked away in some memory box and taken out to be looked at on occasion. They serve the same purposes today as they did all those years ago.
Why does God interact with us, allowing us to experience Him in such a personal way instead of just letting us read stories about other people walking with Him?
These experiences are not meant to be locked away in some memory box and taken out to be looked at on occasion. They serve the same purposes today as they did all those years ago.
To reveal the character of God. In the Bible, after an experience with God, people attributed a new name or character quality to Him. This is how God was revealed in scripture. It is one thing to read about someone else’s experience, and another to experience God for yourself.
God loves us enough to come to each of us in a way that we can know him better. There is a caution here. God will not contradict who He has revealed Himself to be in scripture, only confirm what is already declared.
If our experience does not jive with His character revealed in scripture we need to look at the situation with a different perspective. In the middle of a trial, it may feel like God is nowhere around, but after the fact we can see that indeed He was with us the whole time. And that He is our deliverer, provider, and redeemer.
Looking at a situation once we are past provides a
clearer perspective of who God is. (Click to Tweet)
To glorify God. When we declare what He has done, He will be lifted up.
“‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they praised God because of me.” Galations 1:23-24
“Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” 1 Chronicles 16:23-25
“Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” Revelation 15:4
“Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.” “Selah” Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!” Psalm 66: 1-5
To help us overcome.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation12: 10-11
When we speak our testimony(what He had done in our life), we remind ourselves who is in charge. We remind the enemy that he is NOT in charge. And we show others God is in charge. When we know that God is in charge we will trust Him with our battles and walk in victory.
Testifying to what God has done on the cross and in our
To bridge the relationship gap to share the gospel. Shared interests, activities and experiences are the beginnings of friendship. Jesus talked to the Samaritan woman about water and thirst – an experience common to everyone. Once she realized who she talked with, she went and shared her experience. Other Samaritans believed because of her testimony. (John 4:39)
Finding common interests and sharing our story builds bridges that enable people to hear the gospel. (Click to Tweet)
As you experience firsthand the goodness of the Lord, testify of all that He has done.
What had God done in your life?
