Say

There is power in the words we speak.

Proverbs 18:21   Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Our words have the power to tear someone down, or build them up.   When we speak the Word over a situation, we bring God's power and perfect will into a situation.  Some times we are scared to speak, but telling our story, sharing our testimony is what we are called to do.


Today I was reading in the NLT version of the Bible, a familiar passage in Psalms 107 - Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So (Psalms 107:2).  

The NLT puts it this way: 

 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
    Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.

The passage goes on to twll why it is so important for us to speak our testimony to others and how it causes them to turn. 

1) For those who are lost or need 

Psalms 107: 4-6 

4 Some wandered in the wilderness,
    lost and homeless.
⁵ Hungry and thirsty,
    they nearly died.
⁶ “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he rescued them from their distress.

When we share our testimony of how God has saved us it helps those who are in need.  When I share where God brought me from, others can be encouraged that He can love them too.  They can see He can save them too.  It is not in my current state that people are encouraged, it is in the journey that brought me there and in the One who got me there.

2) For those who are in darkness

 

Psalms 107:10-13
10 Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,
    imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
¹¹ They rebelled against the words of God,
    scorning the counsel of the Most High.
¹² That is why he broke them with hard labor;
    they fell, and no one was there to help them.
¹³ “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.

When we speak our testimony out, it shines light in the darkness.  Our lives bring light, our Word's let them know where that light comes from.  Our testimony and life brings conviction, even when we aren't preaching repent.  Saying "Yes, I was once in misery, but here is my story of the One who saved me."  Plants the seed for the Holy Spirit to work in their life too.

3) For those in rebellion who have lost their way

 Psalms 107:17-19

¹⁷ Some were fools; they rebelled
    and suffered for their sins.
¹⁸ They couldn’t stand the thought of food,
    and they were knocking on death’s door.
¹⁹ “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.

It is easy to loose your way int he busyness of life or to get hurt and rebel against those who hurt you.  But God calls them back, He lets them suffer in their sin, but His heart desires for them to come back to Him.  Speaking our testimony lets people see that we have been through times where we wanted to quit to, but God brought us back and through.

4) For those who are in the storms of life

Psalms 107:23-28

23Some went off to sea in ships,
    plying the trade routes of the world.
²⁴ They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action,
    his impressive works on the deepest seas.
²⁵ He spoke, and the winds rose,
    stirring up the waves.
²⁶ Their ships were tossed to the heavens
    and plunged again to the depths;
    the sailors cringed in terror.
²⁷ They reeled and staggered like drunkards
    and were at their wits’ end.
²⁸ “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.

 Lastly, sharing our testimony encourages fellow believers who are going through storms of life. They know God is there, but it is hard to see Him through the crashing waves of their circumstances.  Speaking during those times gives hope and encouragement.  It builds  people up in God.  It increases their faith.

So when you have the chance to speak.  remember there is power in your Words.  When you see someone hurting, share your testimony. It may not be the same as what they are going through, but there is power in sharing what God has taken you through, and the journey that you are currently on with Him.