Giving My Best: A 5-Day Devotional When Life Is Hard by Dr. Michele C. Walkerनमूना

Day 4: Testify!

Psalm 71:15-16 (NLT)

I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just and good.

When do we give our testimony? Do we wait for the "big reveal," when we're happy and have our desired victory? What if victory doesn't come for 10 years, do we still have a testimony?

Well, friend, the truth is that the testimony begins while we’re in the valley - in that "going through" place. We can still talk about God's goodness when the experience is real, raw, and unyielding. We can decide to trust God when the money runs low, our health is at risk, our loved ones pass away, and our career seems to have stalled. We can choose to surrender to the will of our Father when the valley experiences stretch our human resolve.

The mountaintop experience has its place. We can be free to praise and experience exhilaration there, but we can't live on the mountain. The valley is where the real work happens. It's where we gain a better understanding of who we are and who God is.

Our testimony is built every day as we face our trials with the increasing awareness that we're not alone (Psalm 23:4). When we realize that we have a Savior who acts on our behalf (Romans 8:34) and will continue to orchestrate the events of our valley experiences (Romans 8:28), we awaken to our ever-expanding testimony.

We can give God our best by sharing the good news of His work in our lives while we live through what we prefer least. Our message will encourage others and cause our hearts and countenance to be lifted as a benefit of obedience.

What is God revealing to you about your valley experience?

Let's pray:

Lord, thank you for the valley testimony that teaches us how to trust and depend on you. We want to live well and bring honor to Your name today and every day.

In Jesus' name,

Amen