July 29, 2011 A Good Name to Know

A Good Name to Know
Read Ezekiel 19 - 21

Ezekiel 20:13b-14 So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and destroy them in the desert. 14 But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name among the nations. (Today’s English Version)

WHAT’S in a name? If you’ve read this scripture, you saw several times when God spoke of protecting his name. One of the reasons he did not destroy his people in their sin was to protect his name before other nations.
What do people think about when they hear your name? Do they consider you in view of your walk with God—”He’s a forgiving person.” “She’s a woman you can trust.” “He is wise.” “She is compassionate.”
Or might people think of you in an unflattering way: “He never does what he says.” “She’s always angry about something.”
Think of people you like to be around. When you hear their name, you have positive thoughts and usually want to grow in your relationship with them.
In a like manner, God desires that when his name is spoken, people desire to come into a deeper relationship with him. He shows himself to the world as one who forgives with patience and love generation upon generation. He shows himself as a God who is perfect and just. He desires that when you say his name, you and the world praise him for his unending love, forgiveness and salvation.
Consider God’s ways. He has patiently through the generations guided the world to his salvation. Speak his name with reverence and awe. Show the world he’s worth getting to know.


Pause and Consider: how patient God has been with you.