Scripture: Revelation 12:11
“And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC))
One Sunday morning, as I was approaching an intersection and turning left, the flashing lights on the train tracks were activated at that very moment to indicate that a train was approaching. As the gates were lowered and the red lights flashed, I completed my turn and applied the brakes on the car, but not the brakes on my brain. I was frustrated as I sat waiting for the train to finish passing by. I was fuming about already being an hour late, which of course was not the train’s fault or its problem. I remembered the battle going on in my head to reason and use common sense as I sat impatiently waiting for the train to pass and the gates to open. I remember saying, “Jesus have mercy!” And He did. I heard the Lord gently whisper for me to be quiet and to pay attention. As I watched the train cars pass by, I began to notice how they were attached to one another and I noted that each car was hauling whatever freight it was designed to carry. The outside of each train car was tatted with graffiti, boasting of various names, gangs, cities, states, paraphernalia, curse words, slang words, etc. Yet this train boldly barreled down the tracks displaying its experiences. I noticed the strength of the train and its determination in its pursuit to reach its destination.
The Lord impressed upon me that when we, His children, experience deliverance and inner healing, He did that for us so that we can be free and boldly share what He has done for us. Jesus never intended for us to receive deliverance and then hide in shame of what He delivered us from and never share our testimony. Revelation 12:11 reminds us that we, the saints of God, overcome Satan by the Blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony, and we don’t love our lives to the point death. In other words, we use the situations that He delivered us from to stand unashamedly and fight the good fight of faith as we encourage one another by sharing our stories and giving God all the glory until we can’t witness anymore. I have witnessed where the enemy would use shame to shut the mouths of God’s people. I believe this scripture encourages us to be bold in telling what the Lord has done for us. When we remember where God has brought us from and what He has brought us through, and share our testimonies, we defeat the enemy by helping to liberate others. God has connected us on purpose to help encourage and to liberate one another.
What we’ve gone through will help others. So share! Be like that train barreling down the tracks. Don’t hide what God delivered you out of. But stand in knowing that His Love and His Blood set you free. Now tell your story of deliverance. Your testimony will help you and others to stand unashamedly and to die to the flesh and live boldly in the spirit for Jesus. God has already given us the victory. Go ahead and glorify the Lord!
Prayer: Lord, I come in the Name of Jesus, thanking You for Your Blood, shed on the Cross of Calvary for me. Thank You for Your resurrection power, for deliverance and inner healing. Thank you that I have a testimony and that I carry no shame, but I walk in boldness to share what You’ve done for me. Thank You Father, for what the enemy meant for evil, You have turned around for the good. Help me to keep moving down the tracks of life, never forgetting what you’ve done for me. In Jesus Name. Amen. (Copyright July 2017)