What is God's Reputation?

I realized something this morning as I was helping my wife through an especially shaky start to the day.  My life right now is probably a lot different than many of you that read this blog.  Every time I look at my wife, I face the impossibilities of the world and am forced to make a decision.  That is why I am so gung-ho when it comes to standing on the integrity of God’s Word in every situation in life.  My wife is fighting the good fight of faith against the ravages of Alzheimer’s and we have been told by some of the best specialists in medical science that there is nothing else they can do.

So, every day when I go in to the bedroom to help her up I have to decide (especially on the rough mornings like today) who I am going to believe.  Do I stand with the doctor’s bad report, or with the not very hopeful studies I regularly read as I research and try to keep up to date on the latest developments on the disease, or do I throw in my hopes or better said, my EXPECTATIONS with God’s Word where “Jesus said, ‘The things that are impossible for people to do ARE possible for God to do.’” (Luke 18:27 God’s Word ©)

Well, when the one person you love and is more important to you than the very breath you breathe has been given a death sentence, the answer is QUITE easy!  I choose life! (See: Deuteronomy 30:19, John 1:4)  Most of you are not staring at this type of situation on a daily bases.  But for those of you who are, I am sure that you know exactly what I mean!

So that is why I am so gung ho, and to some… maybe a little bit over the edge!  But you know?  Now that I am here, I think that this is exactly where Papa God wants us all to be whether we are facing death or not!  I believe that He desires us to be TOTALLY sold out to and focused on Him everyday – 24/7… would you agree or not?

I can honestly say that I think that my wife and I have always had a strong focus on the things of God throughout our married lives.  He has always held an important and pivotal position on our daily To-Do List…  But NOTHING like He does today!  In some ways I guess you could say that I’ve been forced into this position.  But it really wasn’t too big a step for us to take from partial to COMPLETE dependence on Him.

Today it is REAL easy for me to get excited – jump up and down excited – when I read scriptures exalting the Lord like in Isaiah 12:2 where the Prophet exclaims: “Look!  Behold!  Wow!  God is our Savior.  Therefore we are confident, expectant and UNAFRAID because the Lord is our strength and our song.  And best of all – He is our salvation!” (Personalized paraphrase from God’s Word © and The Message Bible)

After I read from Isaiah 12:4 out of the Message earlier today, where it encourages us to “Shout to the nations, tell them what he’s done.  Spread the news of his great reputation,” I had to stop and ask myself what my thoughts were concerning God’s reputation.  I began to inquire what kind of reputation God held to me.  Just how do I talk about God to others?  Do I have a good and positive attitude toward the things that God has done and promises for me or is it questionable, hesitant or a bit shaky?

Then I recalled a conversation I had yesterday with another Christian we knew a long time ago in another church who did not really jump on the band wagon with me when I extolled the goodness and truth of God and of His will for my wife to be healed.  I could tell that she wanted to believe, but then there was that long pause and hesitation…  I also recalled my surprise reaction to an individual’s testimony on a local Christian radio station who was actually thanking God for His responsibility for a paralyzing accident when this individual was young. 

That remark caused me to break into tears as I looked across the room to my wife and could in no way believe that our loving, caring God would go against everything that Jesus demonstrated as the will of God during His earth walk by healing every and all sicknesses (See: Mark 4:23, Matthew 9:35, Acts 10:38) and cause this person great pain and sorrow.  My Bible tells me that the devil is the perpetrator of sickness and disease and that Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10, Acts 10:38)  Papa God did not, would not and could not put sickness on my wife or anyone else.  Where would He get it from?   After all… there is no sickness in heaven, is there?

So back to my original statement… but then again… maybe my life isn’t that unusual as yours.  In reality, each of us has to face that same question each day.  Whether we face life and death forces first thing in the morning, or just have to decide how we are going to handle the negative remark that our spouse, or kids, or boss makes to us during the day.  No matter what dilemma we face, the question should be the same.  Who or what will we believe?  The fear, anger, frustration, hopelessness and hurt of the moment or God’s truthful, peaceful, loving and ultimately victorious Word on the situation?  (See: 2 Corinthians 2:14)

I like what Scofield said about the word “salvation” as used in Isaiah 12:2 as well as throughout the New Testament.  He wrote in “Scofield’s Reference Notes” that in the Hebrew and Greek meanings, salvation implies “safety, preservation, healing and soundness.”  And stated that “Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes…”  It would seem that Papa God included every part of our spiritual and physical lives into the action that Jesus took upon Himself for us at Calvary!  Now if that doesn’t make you stand up and shout: “Look!  Behold! Wow!  God is our savior!” then I think you’d best pinch yourself and check to see if you’re still alive!

That is the attitude that I want to live and extol every day of my life!  How about you?  So go out today and SHOUT about the “great reputation” of your God.  Let the world know just what He means and does for, in and through you.  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting to SHOUT about and TRUST in today?”

I found myself inquirtiIiiiii