Reputation

"The king said to Daniel,

'May your God,

whom you serve continually,

rescue you!'"

Daniel 6:16b

Christian musician Bill Gaither tells the story of when he and his then newlywed wife, Gloria, approached a retired banker for a few acres of land where they could build a house.  The landowner had promised the land to the local farmers for cattle grazing.  When he realized the young man standing before him was the grandson of one of his former employees, however, he changed his mind and sold the young couple 15 acres for a price that was a fraction of what it was worth.  

What caused the retiree to revise his opinion?  The hardworking, honest reputation of Bill's grandfather.  The book of Proverbs says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Proverbs 22:1)  

While it is good that Grandpa Gaither earned a good name through hard work and integrity, I want people to think of God when they think of me.  I don't so much want others to tie my name to good things for my own sake.  Rather, I'd hope that I earn a reputation much like that of some men found in the pages of the Bible who truly lived out their faith in a way that impacted the world around them.

Continually Serving God

His name was linked to the One True God from the moment he set foot in the Babylonian palace for training.  God's ways were always more important to him than the customs and traditions of the new culture in which he was placed.  Even though it meant he'd look as out of place as a snowman would in July, he stayed true to the Lord. 

Due to Daniel's faithful loyalty to the God he loved, the kings he served and no doubt others he came in contact with couldn't help but take note of the greatness of his God.  Pagan kings Nebuchadnezzar and Darius both came to an acknowledgment of the One True God's sovereignty and power through Daniel's life example.

Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said, "You are the salt of the earth."  (Matthew 5:13)  Salt is a preservative, flavor enhancer, antiseptic and cleanser among a myriad of other uses.  As a jar of clay holding the precious and powerful Spirit of God, my presence in this world makes it a better place.  The scattering of His Spirit among all of humanity helps to add His characteristics and especially His love to a world that is lost without Him. 

Daniel inspires me to live each moment for Jesus, making the most of every opportunity and not being afraid to look different than everyone else as I obey His calling on my life.

Devoted to God

If anyone needed help, they went to the most influential man in the East.  Everyone knew they could trust him both in the way he conducted business as well as in his personal affairs.  If he said he would help, he could always be counted on and the animals in his flocks and herds were the best in the region.  Making a purchase from him was always a wise decision.  One thing he had no tolerance for was dirty dealings or cruel or unseemly ways.

There was no doubt about it; Job was a man devoted to God.  His reputation was one of honesty and integrity and everyone knew it.  My life is also a billboard for something.  Whether I know it or not, I am either advertising for God or for myself.  When people observe my life and the way I conduct my affairs, they either notice the characteristics of God and His fruit, or they just perceive my own flesh.

How much of God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evident in my day-to-day existence depends upon how much of my own will and flesh I have turned over to Jesus.  When He died on the cross, He provided a way for me to cast my own natural tendencies upon Him, leaving more room for His Spirit to show through.  As I die to myself, I can live for Christ.

Job inspires me to live a life of Godly devotion in which His characteristics are most evident to all with whom I come in contact.

Trusting God     

They hated him.  He was the favored one.  In fact, their father even gave him a special coat to wear making him an even bigger target among his brothers.  He always got away with everything and their father gave him fewer chores and responsibilities.  Needless to say, his brothers were jealous of his position in the family.

Joseph ended up being sold into slavery by the very ones who despised his existence.  Once a servant, he was thrown into jail for a crime he didn't commit.  Through it all, however, Joseph maintained his faith in God.  And the favor of the Lord was upon him.  Consequently, everything he put his hands to succeeded and he was given much responsibility.  

Once he finally came into the presence of the Pharaoh himself to interpret a dream, his reputation as a man of wisdom and good judgment had grown.  As the Egyptian leader placed Joseph into the position of second in command of the entire nation, he said, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you."  (Genesis 41:39)

Pharaoh knew it was God who made Joseph special, not the young man's own effort, upbringing or heritage.  Joseph had made the source of his abilities abundantly clear.    When Pharaoh said he had heard that Joseph could interpret dreams, Joseph said, "I cannot do it. . .but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."  (Genesis 41:16)

I, too, can point to God as the giver of all good things in my life.  How easy it is, instead, to take credit myself.  I worked hard to earn that position, or I deserve a nice vacation.  But if I give God the honor and the glory, then I am truly acknowledging Him as the source.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  (James 1:17)

Joseph inspires me to always give credit to God as the one who dispenses blessings, gifts, talents and all other good things in my life.

My reputation is important, but not as it reflects on me.  Rather, the way others perceive me says a lot about Who I follow.  Daniel reminds me to persevere, Job to live uprightly and Joseph to give God the credit for any gifts He has given to me.  These are the kind of reputations that are worth their weight in gold.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that my life will point others to Jesus.

How do I tend to draw attention to myself instead of to God?

When do I forget that I'm Christ's ambassador to a fallen world?

The Tables are Turned

"When Daniel was lifted from the den,

no wound was found on him,

because he had trusted in his God."

Daniel 6:23

I came home from a busy night of teaching at the Vacation Bible School our church was hosting.  There were a couple of bills I needed to pay so I logged onto our bank's website.  As I  scrolled down the recent activity log, I noticed a few entries that did not look familiar.  

"My Love, did you go shopping at Marshall's last week?"  I asked my husband.  

"No, I've never even been there."

I noticed that all the suspicious charges were from my debit card and were transacted at merchants located in Chicago, Illinois.  Someone had stolen my card information, made a fake debit card and was walking around the Windy City pretending to be me and spending money that belonged to me and my husband.  Of all the nerve!

My mind went back to our theme that day at VBS: "When you're in trouble, God is with you."  Taking the lesson to heart, I put it all in God's hands, calling the bank to report the problem.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Boose," the fraud specialist told me. "You are not liable for those charges.  Our bank will reimburse you for all the money the thieves spent."

While I do hope they catch those responsible for this crime, I can rest in the knowledge that not only will God take care of me, but He will make sure that justice is served.  I can trust Him to, "judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.  The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."  (Psalm 9:8-10)

As I walk this path of faith, I can look to many examples of how God has turned the tables on those who were trying to bring His people down.  The LORD knows how to take care of His own.

Delivery from the Den of Death

He was highly respected in the kingdom of Babylon.  After serving in the king's palace under three administrations, his reputation over the years had grown to epic proportions.  God had placed great favor upon him, so much so that the present ruler, King Darius, planned to put him in charge of the whole government. . . much to the chagrin of the rest of the governors and administrators.  

None of his peers really liked Daniel.  They were, in fact, jealous because he had risen from the position of a lowly Jewish exile to a powerful leader.  Why should he get all the glory when he wasn't even a Babylonian?  

The plan was simple, really; maybe too straight-forward.  The governors would get together all the officials and advisers to present a new decree for approval by the king that would require no prayer except to the king himself for the next month.  Anyone caught defying the edict would be thrown into the lion's den.

As expected, Daniel did not bow in worship to the king because he only prayed to the One True God.  He was headed to his death.

Although I've never faced death, I know how it feels to have people out to get me.   It hurts to know that I'm the target of their hatred.  I can take on the same attitude as Daniel, letting God protect and defend me.  Just as God protected Daniel from tragedy in the mouth of a lion, He can shield me from the assaults launched by others.  

The part of the story of Daniel that I never really liked was how those who had falsely accused Daniel were then thrown into the lions' den along with their wives and children where their met their doom.  (Daniel 6:24)  It seems so mean that the women and children suffered such a cruel death because of the actions of their husbands and fathers. But God is a righteous God and I have to trust Him to do what is perfectly just.

In this way, I know He will take care of me.  Even when accusations are made, court orders are issued, false witnesses are called and it seems the cards are stacked against me, God is greater than anything a mere human can dish out.  

And as He delivers me from my accusers, I will do as David did and, "give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."  (Psalm 7:17)

Liberation from the Gallows

He hated the man with passion.  Argghh!  He ruined a perfectly fine day!  Look at him sitting there, refusing to rise out of respect for me and my position.  The gall of him!  Haman had hated him the moment he set eyes on him.  There was something about the man that got under his skin.  His eyes never betrayed that flicker of fear as most other subordinates did.  Instead, he held his head high and bowed to no man.  

Later, as he raged to his wife and friends, they gave him a great idea; Build a gallows 75-feet high and have Mordecai the Jew hung in the morning.   And that is just what he planned to do!  But God is a righteous God and He has a way of giving credit where credit is due.  

You see, Mordecai had saved the king from an assassination attempt a while back but had never been recognized for his valor.  As the king lay sleepless that night, he listened to the reading of the record of his reign and learned of this lapse.  Immediately, he put into motion a plan to honor and recognize Mordecai for his act of heroism.  

Of course, this infuriated Haman even more as he was the one to carry out the tribute.  Shameful that this dirty Jew is honored in such a way.  It should be me!

There are times when I've been looked over for recognition or honor.  I work my tail off, doing my very best only to be treated with disdain.  As 1 Peter 5:6-7 reminds me, "Be content with who you are, and don't put on airs.  God's strong hand is on you, he'll promote you at the right time.  Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you."  (MSG) 

It could be that I'm not ready for accolades; most likely it would go to my head, working to build my ego.  Or perhaps God is breaking me of my people-pleasing habit and teaching me to work for Him and Him alone.  Or maybe I just need to learn to humble myself and be content with a job well done.  Whatever the reason, God will lift me up if and when the time is right.

As for Haman; he got what was coming to him.  As only God can orchestrate, the tables were turned and Haman was hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai. . . and the Jewish man who had never wavered in His faith took Haman's position. 

As I live my daily life, I can focus on all the injustice and rail against those who try to bring me down.  Or, I can do as Mordecai did and hold my head high, serving in the position God has placed me to the best of my ability.  When the time is right, God will act.

When I trust God to protect me from evil schemes, I can say, "My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart." (Psalm 7:10)

Provision of an Unlikely Leader

He was a hard man in a position of power against those belonging to a cult called "The Way."  He worked hard to protect the integrity of his father's faith, preserving God's laws and rooting out those who preached about Jesus as if He were the Messiah. . . .saying He was God Himself.  Blasphemy!  How dare they profane the name of the Most High God in such a ridiculous way.  

Saul made it his life's mission to persecute the members of the early Christian Church.  He was there at Stephen's stoning as everyone looked to him for approval, issued warrants for the arrest and incarceration of anyone professing Jesus as Savior and threatened death to the Lord's disciples.  In short, he made the first Christians' lives miserable.  

But God had a plan for this young man's life.  Not only would he become a follower of Jesus Christ through a miraculous encounter on the road to Damascus, but he also became the writer of much of what we today call the New Testament.  

There are times when I've felt like my life could be of no use to God.  I think there is nothing worth salvaging within me; I'm a hopeless mess!  But as witnessed in Saul's transformation, he can use anyone to glorify His name. 

When Jesus died on the cross, He made it possible for anyone to become white as snow through simple faith in Him.  As my sins are covered in the blood of Jesus, God only sees the righteousness of Christ.  By giving my life to Him, it's no longer me who lives, but Christ who lives within me.  I am a new creation created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He had prepared in advance for me to do!


I am not bound by the limitations of my past behavior, my weaknesses or my lack of skills.  Instead, I am made new by a Savior who gives me the strength to do anything He calls me to do!


God has a way of turning the tables; saving me in the face of insurmountable odds, enacting justice when the time is right, and using even a wretch like me to glorify His Name.  I agree with what King Darius said after witnessing the miracle of Daniel's protection from the mouths of the lions:


"For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.  He rescues and saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and earth."  (Daniel 6:26-27)


As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can put all my faith in the God who is able to rescue me and save me.


How do I take matters into my own hands and fail to allow God to protect me?


When do I fail to believe that God can use even me?