Name For Self!

Many people put in the effort of a lifetime to make a name for themselves. Some do it through infamy (i.e. John Wilkes Booth) while others through great accomplishments that bring public renown (i.e. Albert Einstein). Perhaps we also sometimes consider how wonderful it might be to make a name for ourselves, leaving an imprint of our life in this world.

Following the flood during the days of Noah, God had given the command to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” ( Genesis 9:1) However, it was not long before we read of some who decided to build a city and a tower reaching to the heavens in order to, as the people put it, “make a name for ourselves lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth. ( Genesis 11:4) They wanted to make a name for themselves, but were doing so with disregard for God’s plan of spreading out and replenishing the earth. These people did not succeed, but God did as He confused their language and by this means scattered them over the face of all the earth as He had commanded. ( Genesis 11:7-9)

God had (and has) a desire to make a name for those who would LISTEN TO HIS WILL. Such were (and are) destined to be a special people.

Note the following God commanded Moses to speak to Israel.
“(5) Now therefore, if you will indeed OBEY MY VOICE and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (6) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” ( Exodus 19:5-6 ESV)

After mentioning the disobedience of earlier generations, Peter noted the same special designation for God’s people under Christ.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” ( 1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

We see, then, the special character God desired both under the Old and the New to be descriptive of His people. This is the character by which we should desire to be noted. If we want to make a name for ourselves we need to seek to do it God’s way.

Note the sad message of God through Jeremiah.
“For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, THAT THEY MIGHT BE FOR ME A PEOPLE, A NAME, a praise, and a glory, BUT THEY WOULD NOT LISTEN.” ( Jeremiah 13:11 ESV)

Had they LISTENED TO GOD, they could have been renowned as a people, a name, a praise, and a glory because God would have made it so. May we recognize the great blessing God desires to bestow on those who truly belong to Him. It is not through LISTENING to ourselves or this world, but TO HIM that we will be able to make an everlasting name for ourselves. The victorious life God can bring will provide for His Name to be written upon us. (note Revelation 3:12) May we allow God to work out His glorious Will in our life.

Have a great day KNOWN AS A TRUE CHILD OF GOD!
Carl

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