Ezk 36:22 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. (ESV)
We are too often concerned about what people think of us. Do they like us? Do they respect us? Do they recognize what a genius we are, or how funny we are, or how creative, or whatever characteristic we think it is that makes us unique and significant?
God created us and all that exists for his good pleasure and glory out of his own power and creativity. Whenever we seek glory for ourselves rather than for God we are like a child walking into an art museum demanding that we get credit for the masterpieces that surround us. We are like an art curator who is more interested in receiving glory for collecting and displaying art than in recognizing the genius of the art and the artists themselves. We are claiming glory that is not ours while belittling the one to whom all glory is due.
In this chapter of Ezekiel God promises to restore Israel. He will not restore her because she deserves it. In fact, she does not. He will not restore her so that people think well of her and praise her. He will restore her because in her sin she has placed a blemish, a black mark on the reputation of God. He will restore her, in spite of her sin, for the sake of his glory.
Why do we do what we do? Why do we say the things we say? Is it for the purpose of making ourselves look good, or so that the world will see God through us in all his glory? That is the purpose for which we live, but in our own personal insecurities I fear that we often forget why we are here.
Father, today may I be more concerned for your reputation than for mine.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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