A GOOD TESTIMONY

Deuteronomy 34:5,7,10-12

So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said.

Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.

There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.

The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land.

With mighty power, Moses performed terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel.

There is nothing like a good testimony. When it is time for one to leave the earth physically, the joy is leaving with a good testimony.

Remember that our time here is a limited one, after all, one will still exist the scene. Our physical stay is for a time, for even those who will be at the last call of things would only live within the limited years before Christ's second coming.

Moses was declared the greatest of prophets that Israel ever had, for God spoke with Him face to face and used him to perform great acts.

Some would ask, did Moses see God? The answer is No!

Exodus 33:18-20

Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”

The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.

But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.”

Scriptures say:

John 1:17-18

For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

For Jesus Christ is God revealed to man, He was in God. Glory to God! 

If you have not understood this, you have not began to live the true life!

So Moses had the accolades. He had the testimony of the meekest man that lived at his time:

Numbers 12:3

(Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)

Just as the writer emphasized, God told Aaron and Mariam:

Numbers 12:6-8

And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say: 

“If there were prophets among you, 

I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. 

I would speak to them in dreams.

But not with my servant Moses. 

Of all my house, he is the one I trust.

I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! 

He sees the Lord as he is. 

So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?”

So, we see the testimony, Moses had a good testimony both with God and man.

His humility was evident, he never tried to validate himself or strive for relevance, God Himself validated Him.

Glory to God.

Do our spiritual leaders of today have that type of testimony? Are they validated by God or do they validate themselves?

Let us listen to Jesus:

John 5:31,37,39,41,44

“If I were to testify on my own behalf, my testimony would not be valid.

And the Father who sent me has testified about me himself. You have never heard his voice or seen him face to face,

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!

“Your approval means nothing to me,

No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.

As messengers of God we do not need man's testimony, our validity comes from God, however with man we must have a good report, for our light shines.

Look at Daniel:

Daniel 6:3-5

Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”

This is one characteristic of the one who God calls. We see the same in Joseph.

The same when our Lord lived as man among us:

Luke 23:3-4

So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”Jesus replied, “You have said it.”

Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!”

Man of God, child of God, what is your testimony?

When you are investigated what will be found in you?

It is not only about stealing, lying, sexual immorality, idolatry and the lot of the most obviously rebuked sins. What of hatred, laziness, envy, pride, wrath, etc. Do we have  love, which is the base of all the laws and the prophets.

What do you have inside of you?

Those people you lead, do you love them or do you just milk them?

Look at Moses:

Exodus 32:31-33

So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves.

But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!”

But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me.

Do you see how much love Moses had for the people he led?

Do we even have an iota of this kind of love from our spiritual leaders today, talk less of secular leadership?

See how Paul burned for the salvation of Israel:

Romans 9:1-3

With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it.

My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief

for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.

Today, do we see passion for souls as it ought to be?

The real love for the salvation and preservation of souls for Christ has been dampened, another love have taken over the heart of supposed spiritual leaders. Lord bring us back on track.

It just seems as if the church is competing with the world. Who are the champions of the abominable things trying to penetrate the earth today - they are from the church. Lord have mercy.

So what is your testimony.

Learn this:

As you grow in faith and ministry remember something else we learn from the life of Moses. The very people you lead could cause your downfall. They could push you to sin against God.

It was because of the complaint and constant rebellion of the people that pushed Moses to make an error and this cost him his ticket into the promised land.

Jesus said:

John 2:23-25

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust in him.

But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people.

No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.

The consciousness of the people caused king Saul to lose the kingdom.

And still on Jesus, the same people who wanted to crown him king, where also the ones that were instigated to say "crucify him".

Finally, understand this, God is no respecter of persons. As high as Moses was God gave Him a verdict, he had to pay for his error.

Acts 10:34(kjv)

Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Acts 10:34

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.

Romans 2:11(kjv)

For there is no respect of persons with God.

Never get to the point in your christian growth when you feel you are not accountable. Don't play with God!

In all his humility he cracked that one time, be careful O great one of God, you are still human. Do not be careless neither reckless.

Help us Good Lord.

As you journey through this life, make sure to have a good testimony.

Help us Good Lord.

We win.

PRAYER

Dear Loving Father, guide me every step of the way, in the midst of the noise and events in this world, let me always have a good testimony. My trust and hope is in You Lord and in no man, I will finish well, I have Your victory. Glory to Your name Lord forevermore.

He calls us blessed.

Love

@the watcher.