0555. Testimony
Testimony
"Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them" (Psa_119:129).
The word "testimonies" is first used in Gen_21:20, where the word is translated "witness." Twenty-three times the expression occurs in the 119th Psalm.
1. Psa_119:24 : "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors." If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. The "blessed man," is the one who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. God hath given us His testimonies. We should walk in them and delight ourselves in them.
2. Psa_119:46 : "I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed." Hezekiah was not ashamed to bear witness concerning the testimony of his God, before the king of Assyria. Daniel was not ashamed to bear testimony when he stood before Belshazzar, or Darius or Nebuchadnezzar. It seems impossible that any one should be ashamed to speak of the testimonies of their God. What He has told us in the secret place, we should sound forth on the housetop.
3. Psa_119:79 : "Let those that fear Thee turn unto me, and those that have known Thy testimonies." This might be read, "That they shall know Thy testimonies." Both thoughts are true.
(1) We seek only the fellowship of those who know the testimonies of Christ.
(2) Those who seek to enjoy our fellowship, shall know the testimonies of Christ.
If we are true to the Lord, no one can be in our company long without hearing and knowing the testimony of Christ. If we are true to the Lord, we will only turn toward those who know God and keep His Word. We will have no fellowship with darkness.
4. Psa_119:144 : "The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting." Our God is holy and His Words are righteous for evermore. Whether it be the testimony that we commonly call old (Old Testament); or, the testimony that we commonly call new (New Testament), both are righteous and true for ever. Our Lord never sounds forth an untrue note. He never utters an unrighteous word.
5. Psa_119:59 : "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies." We need not only to know the Word of God, but to do it. "If any man hear these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not," he builds upon the sand. The one who "thinks" but does not "turn," cannot be blessed in his deed. We must turn our feet and walk in His way. Christ said, "My sheep hear My voice and they follow Me." We will never know, unless we follow on, to know the Lord.
6. Psa_119:111 : "Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart."
Many have other heritages in which they rejoice. We rejoice in His testimony. What heritage is sweeter, what inheritance more fruitful, than that of His promise? What is more blessed than the "exceeding great and precious promises," which He has given us in His testimonies? Thank God, we will inherit them in all their rich fullness one glad day.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR