What's It All About?

Reading through the history of mankind -- even as it is revealed early on in the Scriptures -- again and again it appears to not take long for people to decide to do their own thing! It is far too easy to become self-absorbed and begin to lose sight of God and His Will. Have we not all experienced that struggle in our own life? Following the flood and the deliverance of Noah and his family (as well as the animals) on the ark, God gave the command to multiply and replenish the earth. ( Genesis 9:7) This was the will of God. To do so would be to honor God and His Word. However, to remain in one place would not have fulfilled that desire nor served the purpose of God.

Soon after the flood we read. . .
"(1) Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. (2) And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. (3) And they said to one another, 'Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.' And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. (4) Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and LET US MAKE A NAME FOR OURSELVES, LEST WE BE DISPERSED over the face of the whole earth.'" ( Genesis 11:1-4 ESV)

Their desire was to "make a name" for whom? Themselves! It was all about them! But what about God's Will? How would GOD'S NAME be honored? When it came to living, they weren't "getting it together" in accordance with God's Will. They were trying to "stick together" according to their own! Life was about self rather than about the One Who had given and preserved life. Therefore, in spite of their attempts to exalt themselves, God humbled them by confounding (or confusing) their language and dispersing them in accordance with His original intent. ( Genesis 11:7-9)

In making our life all about God and His Will, that is how we make a name for ourselves. That is how we become truly exalted, because it is God -- rather than self -- that does the exalting as we humbly seek to please Him and serve His purpose. ( Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; James 4:10; 1 Peter 5:6) So, how are we doing? How focused are we on honoring and glorifying the NAME OF GOD? Let us consider how Jesus set the example for us.

Prior to our Lord's arrest and crucifixion He prayed a prayer that revealed a struggle of the "wills". Fortunately -- for our salvation -- it was the "Father's Will" that was surrendered to and allowed to be accomplished. ( Mark 14:36) Even prior to this moment in the garden, Jesus' willingness was expressed as He had been speaking regarding His coming death. ( John 12:23-24)

We read. . .
"(27) "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. (28) FATHER, GLORIFY YOUR NAME." Then a voice came from heaven: 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.'" ( John 12:27-28)

According to the Will of the Father, Jesus surrendered to the plan, and the FATHER'S NAME was glorified! Even a centurion praised God at the sight of the Lord's death. ( Luke 24:47) Ultimately JESUS' NAME was glorified as well. And so will we when our ultimate desire continues to be that of honoring and glorifying the NAME OF GOD through our own submission to His Will. May we be willing to walk in our Lord's steps to the glory of the NAME OF THE FATHER and so be blessed as He so desires. Since "God is for us" ( Romans 8:31) why not let it be all about Him?

Have a great day LIVING NAMELY FOR GOD!
Carl

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