I remember the first time I went to a testimony service. It was around 2005, the year God led me to surrender my heart to Him. I was 17 at the time. The pastor got up and said, it is time for testimonies. I wasn’t too sure what he meant or what was about to happen next. Over the next 20 – 25 minutes, members of our congregation began to share about their life and about the big God they serve. Stories of God’s faithfulness. Stories of hope. Stories of God coming through and providing just what they needed. Although this was a new experience for me, being there and listening was quite encouraging.
I pray often that my life will serve as a testimony of how good God is.
If you have been around the ‘church’ or around Christians I am sure you’ve heard testimonies and stories of how good God has been. Friends on our social media networks share praises and post often of how good God is. I love seeing and hearing about how good God is but if I am honest, it takes faith to believe this at times.
So often in our seasons of life, we can quickly forget that God is an eternal good God. Despite our circumstances, what we are being faced with on today or what struggle that may be in our life, God is good. Despite God not answering a prayer in the way we think it should be answered, God is still good. Despite sickness in our bodies, struggles in work life, conflict in relationships, God is still good.
I have to remind myself that God being good does not depend on my circumstance or emotions. He is eternally good.
If you ever read interactions between Jesus and his disciples, you know that one of the disciples named Simon, also called Peter had a few run-ins with believing that God is always good. See Peter, like you and I get challenged with trusting God. In Luke, 22:31-32 Jesus tells Peter, “Simon, Simon, lookout. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Did you notice in verse 32 that Jesus says, and when you have turned back, go and strengthen your brothers (disciples)? Jesus knew that Peter would have a moment where He would not choose to stay with Him (physically, mentally and emotionally). He knew that for whatever reason Peter would choose to make a choice that would from the outside looking in would not look like God is eternally good; even though Peter knew just how good Jesus is. Doesn’t this sound familiar? It sounds familiar because we do the same thing.
If you find yourself in a place today where you’ve made some poor decisions, remember just like Jesus to Peter, Jesus is praying and interceding that our faith will not fail in Him.
My encouragement to you is to stay with Jesus! If you are a believer, He is in you and He is always with you. If you are not a follower of Jesus, He is inviting you today to experience His forever goodness!
My friend, continue to allow your life to be a living testimony that God is good even when it doesn’t feel like all is good. Continue to post how good He is on social media. Continue to share verbally with others your testimonies. Strengthen others with the stories that God has given you. He is too good to keep quiet!
P.S. Peter stayed with Jesus and helped lead a movement that is still going strong 2000 years later! We can praise God for that!
Josh Samarco 