Isaiah 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD,
“and my servant whom I have chosen.
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.”

Many prophetic passages in Isaiah are addressed to Christ, but this is addressed to the people of God, specifically in the plural. As such it clearly prefigures Acts 1:8, where Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit is given so that we may be witnesses. It is very interesting in that the purpose of our being witnesses is so that we may know and believe God. To our logic that seems a bit backward. After all, wouldn’t those who already know and believe God be His witnesses? How­ever, there is a very interesting phenomenon in human psychology, that we are more likely to believe something when we say it. That can operate in bad ways, as in people who think things are true just because they say them. It is also behind the practice of some sports people who “psych themselves up” by saying positive things. What is different about this passage is that the people of God are called to say things about Him that are independently true, so that we may know and believe and really understand those things. I have seldom seen anyone with really strong faith who didn’t share that faith with those around them, and conversely, I have seldom seen anyone who was faithful to share Christ with others who didn’t have really strong faith. It’s something of a chicken-and-egg situation. It is a practical reality that if you want to grow in faith, you should share the faith you already have.

This has certainly been my experience, and it is something I try to communicate to the flock here. Over the years I’ve gotten a lot of push back over it, however. We make all sorts of excuses for not witnessing! However, I’m not to give up. Raising up and encouraging the believers in witnessing is very much part of “preparing God’s people for works of service,” (Ephesians 4:12) which is my job. I have been exposed to all sorts of “personal witnessing programs,” but they were all from the American cultural perspective, and they were of little if any use in Japan. For that matter, no canned program is better than a stepping-off place to get someone started, regardless of the cultural context. I need to encourage Christians to believe that God wants to and will use them to speak His love and truth to others. “Divine appointments” are not only marvelous, they’re to be expected! I need to look for, and make full use of, His appointments for getting His truth, and specifically this truth, through to those who are already saved, so that they may in turn reach out and draw many more into the family of God.

Father, thank You for this clear Word this morning. I want to share it right now! Thank You that people asked for a New Years service tomorrow morning, even though no one was interested in a watchnight service tonight. Guide me indeed in what to share when with whom, so that Your truth may go to hearing ears and willing hearts, bearing rich fruit in both the short and long term, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!