Witness

Exodus 18:8-12 - Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.  And Jethro said, "Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh.  Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because he delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians, when they dealt arrogantly with them."  And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, offered a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God. 

Moses had a visitor from his past.  His father-in-law Jethro….a priest of the people of Midian…who came to visit…and brought Moses wife Zipporah and his two sons that he had sent back home at some point in his journey.  Moses filled him in on his last few months….told him about all that God had done in the lives of the people he had been called to lead. And Jethro rejoiced…and blessed the Lord…and made his own profession that the Lord was the one true God.  He even offered sacrifices to him…and shared the sacrificial meal with Moses that day.

What joy it must have brought Moses to watch Jethro as God revealed himself to this Midian priest…a simple Kenite shepherd…who most commentaries said was probably a prophet of Islam. We are not told much more about this man…but I believe he had an encounter with God in that tent with Moses that day.  I believe that this priest of Midian…became a believer in Yahweh in those moments he listened to Moses share all the miracles that God had done in the lives of the Israelites over the last few months. Maybe God had planted some seeds earlier…as Moses took care of his sheep…and became his son-in-law….but this day….Jethro’s faith was established…and became a true believer.

We never know how the sharing of our own story…the remembrance of the miracles God has done in our lives …will affect those God leads to sit in our presence…and listen to all that he has done for us.  We need to make a point to be bold with our witness….and talk  more about what God has done in our lives…to teach us….to strengthen us….to save us.   That person that God has allowed to cross your pathway might just have been through a similar storm…and the story of your deliverance…might just be what they need to believe that God is still with them too…and will move in their lives soon. You might just be the person God has placed in their pathway to plant a seed….but God may have given you the words that will show the full glory of God to that one in need of salvation.

Father…I thank you for the opportunity to sit in your presence each morning…and record the great miracles you have done for me. I thank you for the reminder that I need to share what you have done for me…and be bold in my witness to others.  Help me to remember that you can use my story of deliverance to lead others to believe in you. Help me to recognize each opportunity to witness on your behalf.  Give me the words you would have me speak to each person that crosses my path. Amen.