FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE
Today’s Text: For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. (1Samuel 12:22)
Today’s Thoughts: Today we’re going to take a look at the last part of Psalm 23:3. The Lord will lead us in His way and not forsake us for His name’s sake. So many people see Christians as hypocrites because they claim to be living for God, but they are no different from the world. God leads us in the paths of righteousness because He knows that the life He wants us to live is better for us, but He also leads us in His way to protect His name. If God forsook His people, what kind of God would the world see Him to be?! He calls us to be true followers of His. He leads us in His way, and does not forsake us, for our own benefit and to bring honour to His name. I want to be a true follower of Christ and bring honour and glory to my Shepherd. Don’t you?
Today’s Testimony: Imagine if people could just look at you and know that you are a true Christian – before they’ve seen you do anything or heard you say anything. It is possible. I’ve had that experience many times. God has a high standard for His sheep because He loves us and wants what is best for us. If we truly live up to that standard the world will be able to know that we are followers of Christ at first glance. A life that is lived in Christ cannot but bring honour and glory to His name.
When I was about sixteen, my family and I were studying a few of God’s requirements for His people. One thing that we came across was His high standard of dress. Do we really dress for Christ and for Him alone? If Christ had to stand infront of us, would any of us feel uncomfortable with the way we are dressed? I didn’t dress totally for Christ at that stage.
We discussed that we should not wear any clothes that attracts attention to our bodies. One thing that needed to change was the tight pants I was used to wearing. The reason was because, like I said, they attract attention. My thoughts were, “But that’s why we wear pants!” Isn’t that so true – the reason we shouldn’t do something is so often the same reason why we do it in the first place. We love attention! We want to look good! We want to fit in! But what does God require?
It was not easy to change my wardrobe, but I then started wearing long skirts instead of pants. I do sometimes still wear pants, but I wear a long top over. I do look different from most of the girls I know, and it definitely wasn’t easy to make that change, but God had lead, and I had to follow.
On one occasion while in Cape Town we went to the same plant-nursery two days in a row. On the second day, the gentleman guarding the cars asked if my sisters and I were Christians. My step-mom told him that we were, and he said, “I can see by the long skirts they’re wearing.” That is only one of many similar stories. We can stand out for Christ in something as simple as our dress. And yet I also know that it is one of the hardest things for us to change. I didn’t write this testimony to tell you how to dress, I simply wanted to share how easy it is to be a witness for God – no words; no actions. But I do encourage you to take your dress-code to the Lord for checking. Ask Him if He is happy with the way you dress. Ask Him if He would have you change anything for His name’s sake. I want to follow Him wherever He leads, at all costs. Do you?
Today’s Task: Ask the Lord if there is anything in your life that He would have you change in order to bring honour and glory to His name. Ask Him to lead you in paths of righteousness, and then follow Him for His name’s sake. Ask Him for the strength to live for Him at all costs. Trust His standards, He knows what is truly best for us.
Today’s Thanks: O Lord I thank You that we can bring honour and glory to Your name simply by walking in Your paths of righteousness. There are so many things in our lives that we need to change, but You will not forsake us and leave us to struggle on our own. I thank You that You will help us to live totally for You. Help us to follow You always for Your name’s sake. Amen.
