Testimonies

He [or she] who gets wisdom loves his own soul;he who cherishes understanding prospers.

Proverbs 19:8 (NIV)

Bottom line: the wise, godly life is the good life.

Wives, no matter where you live or who your husband is, the wise wife is the blessed wife. I know a woman who has a very cranky husband. He’s stubborn, prideful, and refuses to go to church, but God has given her the sweetest, most powerful dose of wisdom and joy. She is a light to everyone around her. Years ago the Lord gave her the verse “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1, NKJV). Well, she could see that even though her husband was making bad choices, she didn’t need to. She chose to “delight herself in the Lord,” and he’s prospered her, in spite of her circumstance.

I have another friend who is single, actually divorced. Her husband of many years lived a secret life, and then he left her. Her husband’s aging father lived with them and remained when his son left the family. Janie was brokenhearted but not bitter. She chose to walk the path of humility and grace. Her father-in-law remained under her care for many years. Her daughters initially struggled with feelings of betrayal and abandonment. Now they are both married and serving God. Janie clung to the rock of God’s love; she remained close to her church family and continued to choose wisdom. Her life is living proof that God prospers the godly.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

What’s your story? Is there a time when a big storm hit your life? Did you cry out to God? Did you see his faithfulness in the hardship? Then you have a testimony. Your testimony can encourage others. Revelation 12:11 says, “They have defeated [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.” Draw out three circles on a paper. In the first circle, write out your dilemma (life without Christ, or a hardship as a believer). In the second, write out how God sent help and hope. In the third circle, describe the fruit and joy of seeing God’s hand in your life. That’s your testimony. Now, will you share it with someone?

One Year Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 16:37–18:17; Romans 2:1-24; Psalm 10:16-18; Proverbs 19:8-9