Isaiah 43:10-13 (NIV) -“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

Acts 1:8 (NIV) - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

When God promises “I will be with you”, it is not just for our own sense of assurance and well-being. His promise goes hand-in-hand with the summons “You are my witnesses.” In fact, if we try to live one part without the other, it falls short of how we are to be and live as God’s people for His purpose. When God gave us true knowledge of Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life, through the regenerating power of His Spirit, He was also gathering us to become His witnesses. His “you are mine” love forms us together as His people to be living proof and evidence that there is no other Savior and Lord but Jesus Christ alone. May the Holy Spirit empower us afresh to reveal and proclaim that He alone is God and apart from Him there is no Savior.

-CH