God's Reputation

God’s Reputation
1-25-07

We seldom think about God’s reputation. He has integrity, so we might take for granted that He maintains His own reputation. But there are two situations in the scriptures where we see God’s servants protecting His reputation. The first occurred when the Lord wanted to kill all the Israelites and start over with Moses[1]. Moses pleaded for the Lord not to do this, for He would be seen as a God who led His own people out into the dessert just to kill them. Moses knew that God was righteous and he did not want the rest of the world to think of Him as evil. We think of Moses as bold, confronting the Lord. And yet, the Lord was honored, and honored Moses by His agreement to his request.

Another prophet brought the question of God’s reputation up to Him; Elijah. Elijah was housed by a widow during a time of severe drought. God brought His provision to her when she did this kind act and she and her son did not lack for food. But there came a tragedy into the widow’s life; her son became sick and died[2]. Elijah said to God “have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” Then Elijah prayed “O Lord, my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” three times. The Lord honored Elijah’s request and brought the boy’s life back into him. God was not offended that Elijah thought it would make Him look bad to take the life of a widow’s son. His agreement with Elijah’s request is shown in the answer; life from death.

After reading these two accounts of a seeming affront to God’s character the Lord said to me the following;

“You have told Me that I am good and fair, and at the same time have tried to adjust your attitude to one of acceptance when you have adverse circumstances. But, this creates a lie in your heart, for you are judging the circumstances to be unfair and bad, and that you can’t live with them. I would be honored more to have you tell Me it is wrong and unjust, and then ask Me to intervene.

It doesn’t just take sin on the part of My people to bring a reproach against My name, Helen. It is also the acceptance of defeat, and calling evil good which causes My name to be blasphemed amongst the nations. You can agree with My word, and yet remain passive. But a concern about My reputation is a concern about My kingdom which is being built on this earth.

Helen, I want My people to ask Me to show Myself mighty and right the wrong circumstances they have, not just for their sake, but for the Church and the unbelievers as well. If a man wants Me to take My power and reign[3], he will be concerned with the visible acts of God on this earth, and not with how his own works look and what sort of reputation he has.

My people are so caught up in their quest to look like Me that they do not pray for Me to look like Me. Man is consumed with making himself acceptable to himself and to his fellow Man. Man is not going to save the nations . . . I am. If Man really knew Me, he would stand in agreement with Me about My reputation instead of calling evil circumstances good. Why is Man afraid to pray in this manner, in honesty, honoring My integrity? False humility. Helen, My prophets must be strong in My nature. They will never be just like Me, but they can pray for Me to be like Me.

If a man will not use his God-given gifts, shall I honor him? If he will not retain the knowledge he has about My character, shall I give him more? Man is continually praying backwards, with the end being “if it is your will” and “if it’s your time”. He does not acknowledge the fervency with which My heart beats, or the passion which resides there. Man has come to despise passion, and the fruit of his lukewarmness is unanswered prayer”


[1] Ex 32:9-14
[2] see 1 Kings 17
[3] Rev 11:17