His Reputation
This is a word that is about another’s perspective or view of someone’s behavior. I know people who used to have a bad reputation, but they’ve changed their lives and now they have a favorable or good reputation. I think a good reputation has to do with honor, respect and integrity. I also think a reputation is continually being built or taken down. It is a viable and fragile reflection of my behavior on a day to day basis. I’ve held people in very high esteem only to watch them self-destruct and gain a reputation of deceit and lies. I do believe that you can spend years building a strong reputation and then destroy it with one bad decision. My reputation can also be a source of pride and really harm my heart. I believe a reputation is built with one positive decision at a time.
The Lord has a strong reputation because He is faithful and consistent with His love, grace and mercy. David pens a Psalm where he is being attacked and pushed down. He is under verbal assault from all sides. It is wearing on him and he cries out to God. Check this out….
21 But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord,
for the sake of your own reputation!
Rescue me
because you are so faithful and good.
22 For I am poor and needy,
and my heart is full of pain. (Psalm 109:21-22 NLT)
David cries out to God from his pain and reminds God of His reputation. This is an interesting tactic. I’m not sure the Lord would ever fall for that, but I can say that one of the reasons I pray is because I KNOW of God’s reputation and it is spotless. He never leaves. He never takes a break. He never ignores me. He is Who He says He is and He keeps His promises – every single one of them. God’s reputation is not dependent upon my reputation. If I’m His kid and I represent Him, I hurt Him with bad decisions and choices. I lean on Him for help in making good, solid, godly decisions every day.
I want His Presence in my heart to help me keep pride in check. I want to humbly walk with Him and have Him go before me and lead me where He wants me to go. I need Him at all times. I’m not great at handling pain and struggle. I’m also not great at handling victories and blessings.
I want to continue to build my reputation as a follower of Jesus. It’s a bit ironic that in order to ‘build my reputation” that I “lay down” all my rights before Him. Today I will make lots of decisions and choices and it’s super important for me to filter EVERY choice through the Lord’s filter of His Reputation. I don’t ever want my life to harm His reputation.
Pressing On!
Dwayne