“You are my witnesses”, says Adonai …

What does that mean to be a witness of Adonai (the L-RD)? When or how are we to be His witnesses?

Most of us might answer; to demonstrate the love of the Messiah through kindness, generosity, sharing the great news of the coming Kingdom and more. We might also suggest that being a witness for Adonai should occur wherever we find ourselves in front of others, including spouses, family, friends and enemies. And, I completely agree.

However, I believe there is an intimate time when we should show up as a witness for Adonai. Consider the rest of the Scripture: 

You are my witnesses, says the L-RD, my servant, whom I chose, so that you would know and believe me and understand that I am the one. Before me no god was formed; after me there has been no other. Isaiah 43:10 CEB

What do you mean, you might ask? For a moment focus on the words know, believe me and understand … I am the One. Now as most of us know, the book of Isaiah was written to the nation of Israel and speaks of prophetic judgement and redemption throughout the book. Yet, as believers in Yeshua, we are given the same mandate, i.e., to know G-D, believe Him and understand that He is He. How can we do this?

The word witnessing has several meanings. However, for the purposes of this blog, the dictionary meaning which is apropos; be the place, period or setting in which (an event or development) takes place.I believe that this kind of witnessing (development) begins during private prayer, worship and study of the Scriptures. Yes, again, we are called to public witnessing, no doubt about it! But for public witnessing to be authentic, genuine and Messiah centered, we must spend the time in prayer so that we can get to know and develop our knowledge of G-D and thus our relationship with Him. Still, knowledge without trust (believe Me – G-D) and understanding that He is Echad (One); our efforts to share the coming Kingdom of G-D is likened unto a noisy brass cymbal or trying to drink coffee from an empty cup. 

How can we share about our Heavenly Father if we aren’t actively pursuing Him consistently and daily? How can we know and believe Him, and understand that He is G-D and there is no other, if we are not dependent on His Spirit to reveal His love, truth and purposes to us? 

There are many brass cymbals banging to the tune of their own agenda and empty cups without drink. But, we believers in Messiah have been called to live and proclaim the truth of His plans for humankind. We have been given two mandates in the Word of G-D which encompasses everything we need to know and do. In Matthew 22:36-40, it reads:

Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law? He replied, “You must love the L-RD your G-D with all your heart, with all your being,[a] and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.[b] All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands. (CJB)

This blog is focused on witnessing or loving G-D first; and in order to love G-D first, we must spend time privately getting to know Him and developing in Him. I believe that this first witness to Him consequently flows into all the public witnessing and the G-Dly living He requires.

My point, consider reevaluating your prayer times and your efforts to read, study and meditate on G-D’s Word. Ask Him to reveal where and how you might improve in these areas so that your public witness might please Him and draw others to Him. Be sure to repent and keep pushing forward to please Him in prayer and study. Make prayer (worship, thanksgiving, repentance, petition, listening and doing) a priority as part of your daily existence. I also believe that our prayer life is a witness to the Father of our gratitude for the redemptive work of our Savior. 

Before I close, I want to share a quick testimony. The other day, my husband decided to drive us to Blagaj, Bosnia & Herzegovina for sightseeing and lunch. Blagaj is about two hours from our home. This is a beautiful area of the country with gorgeous mountainous terrain. As we were approaching the toll booths, I heard that I needed to pray. So I silently prayed for our safety as we were traveling. Moments later as my husband was switching lanes to the left of him, a car came speeding up and honked as we were merging into the lane, nearly hitting our vehicle. We were both startled, but grateful that we did not have a car accident. Then later that evening as we were beginning to make a left-hand turn close to our home while the ongoing traffic was clear… all of a sudden a car came speeding and was within inches of hitting us, (second time in the same day). All I could see at that moment was the luminous piercing lights of a speeding car about to hit the middle of our car on the passenger side. My husband swerved out of the way and I am here writing to you. My husband was shaken and admitted that he was scared. He said, he knew he was clear to make the turn. The car came out of nowhere! We were both shaken but grateful we were not in an accident. I was in awe that I had been warned to pray prior to these two events in one day, and I was reminded that I hadn’t prayed before we left home. [Shame on me] But, praise the L-RD, we serve a loving Father who wants us to be safe and have times of enjoyment on the earth. He will remind us to pray at times when we forget because He cares for us.

Be encouraged…never give up on doing the intimate work with the Father through prayer, study and meditation. Our private witness sets the momentum for overflow into our public display. Be encouraged to work on your relationship with the Father daily through Yeshua, empowered by the Holy Spirit because you/we are His witnesses.

Growing,

Dr. Dee