Olive Tree One Year Daily Devotional

The Clear Brook

Topic: Witnessing

Acts 1:6-8

In order to learn how to follow your duty as a witness for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing: by the well of Samaria or in the Temple of Jerusalem, by the lake of Gennesaret or on the mountain's brow. He is witnessing night and day. His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances. Scribes and Pharisees cannot shut His mouth. Even before Pilate, He witnesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly and distinctly that there is no mistake in Him.

Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be the brook where you may see every stone at the bottom - not as the muddy creek of which you only see the surface - but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, “I am true.” Be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it.

Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do (Isaiah 6:5-7). If you endure suffering in any shape for Christ's sake and the gospel's, do not hold back, but rejoice in the honor that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord. Your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions will make you a platform, from which you will witness for Christ more vigorously and with greater power. Study your great Exemplar, and be filled with His Spirit. Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility, if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory.

Adapted from Morning and Evening Daily Readings by C. H. Spurgeon