In the New
Testament, a testimony is a statement made by a witness to prove that
something is true. We often hear the word testimony used most often in
a court of law. Witnesses are called to testify or tell the facts to
a jury.
The entire eleventh chapter of Hebrews is
known as the "faith" chapter. Each of the individuals have
a story of divine intercession as the results of faith (a testimony).
By
studying their testimonies, we can learn more about faith and God. Testimonies
are not found only in the bible. In recognition of Black
History Month, let
me name a few African Americans who "obtained a good testimony".
HARRIET TUBMAN
This escaped slave helped hundreds of slaves including her family to
escape through the Underground Railroad. She said, "There was one of two
things I had a right to, liberty or death. If I could not have one I should
have the other, for no man should take me alive."
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
This scientist's research developed 325 products from peanuts, 108 applications
for sweet potatoes, and 75 products derived from pecans.
SOJOURNER TRUTH
Born Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth became the first black
woman orator to lecture against slavery despite her illiteracy. When
asked
how
she received her name, she replied, "I asked the Lord to give me
a new name and He gave me Sojourner because I was to travel up and down
the land showing the people's sins and being a sign unto them. Afterwards,
I told the Lord I wanted another name cause everybody had two names;
and
He gave me Truth because I was to declare the truth unto the people."
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
The slain civil rights leader and minister saw a promised land. "I
have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be
exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low. The rough places
will
be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight. And the
glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."
Hey, but don't just stop there...look at
your own family tree. Our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents,
etc. ... went through incredible obstacles. Their names are not written
in
history books, but their testimonies are our heritage.
Share your testimony with somebody whose
faith is wavering or who have not discovered their faith. "And let
us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds...
let us encourage one another." (Hebrews 10:24-25) It is a
wonderful feeling to know somebody before they have gone through similar
or the
same trials you are currently experiencing.
We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony
is greater because it is the testimony of God, which He has given about
his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his
heart. --- 1 John 5:9-10
Ty Moody is a professional web developer who enjoys dabbling in freelance writing. Her company Tywebbin Creations produces such websites as faithwebbin.net, doenetwork.com, kulturezone.com and goodgirlbookclubonline.com. This article is used by permission.