YOU BEAR HIS NAME

"You will know that I am the Lord, house of Israel, when I have dealt with you because of My name rather than according to your evil ways and corrupt acts." Ezekiel 20:44

The verse above concludes a dialogue between the prophet Ezekiel and the elders of Israel. Ezekiel has just catalogued for them the history of their people from the Exodus to the present. At each stage of that history, the people of Israel disobeyed God -- even rebelled against Him, inviting His judgment. However, instead of judging them, He spared them because of His name "so that it would not be profaned in the eyes of the nations" (v22).

God's name is His character. He does not want His character tarnished in the eyes of unbelievers. So He often deals with His people with great favor, answering their prayers, blessing them, protecting them, prospering them, not because they deserve it, but because His reputation is at stake. If we understand this principle, it will take our focus off of ourselves and place it where it should be -- on the Lord. Indulge me as I use a personal illustration to explain what I mean.

Because of my perfectionistic temperament (a huge liability) my faith often falters. For example, this morning I was praying for our church and its mission and ministries, for its health and growth, for people to be saved and transformed. In the midst of that prayer I was reminded of some recent shortcomings in my life. I'm not talking about gross immorality or malicious greed. I'm talking about shortfalls -- days when I should have risen earlier so I could pray longer, times when I should have fasted more but yielded to appetite, people to whom I should have witnessed but didn't. Instantly my faith faltered and old man Doubt whispered, "Why would God answer your prayer? You are such a disappointment to Him. You are such a failure as a pastor."

Thankfully, I pressed on in spite of those doubts, and after a while experienced a sweet spirit of intercession, sensing the presence of the Spirit in my praying.  The reason? I am learning the principle in this verse from Ezekiel -- that it's not all about me and my perfection or performance. It's about Him and His kingdom interests. It's about His reputation in the eyes of the nations. So when confronted with my own shortcomings, I am learning to acknowledge them, repent of them, and then quickly move beyond them, focusing my faith on more important things -- God's kingdom interests for His church and His world. God wants to bless our church because His name is attached to it. He wants to answer my prayer -- not because I deserve it, but because His reputation is at stake. He wants to bless it because He loves the unchurched people we will reach for Him.

Do you know that God wants to answer your prayers about your job, your marriage, your children, your finances -- not because you have been perfect -- but because His name is attached to you! You are known as "Christian." So pray in faith for His blessing and favor in every area of your life. And when old man Doubt whispers his insidious accusations, just acknowledge your shortfalls, repent, and then quickly move on in your praying.