Today’s Scripture Threshing for Wednesday, April 3 2019
Today’s Text: Proverbs 22:1-8
Key Verse: Proverbs 22:1 (ESV): “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”
Almost all religions of the world place great value and emphasis on virtues and happiness. As an African, I know what it means to give careful thoughts to how your received or perceived. However, most importantly, now, as a believer in Christ, I’ve found out how closely connected to godliness our reputation actually is. The Word of God is full of great examples and instructions laid out, precepts by precepts, to help us pay diligent attention to obtaining a good report.
An African fable or folklore of yesteryears has it that Fire, Water, and Fame went to travel together. As their way, they reasoned on how they might be retrieved, and meet again in case they lost one another. So, Fire said, "Where you see smoke there you shall find me." Water said, "Where you see marsh, moorish, and low ground, there you shall find me." But Fame said, "Friends, do your very best never to lose me; for, if you do, you will run a great hazard never to meet me again. There’s no known way of retrieving or recovering of me."
This illustration does not emphasize the importance of why we should be more careful to do whatever we may to get and keep a good name any better than today’s scripture. The emphasis are clear. Raising or adding great wealth and estates are good. Silver and gold are cherished. Beauty and ambiance are desired. But nothing, our text says, is more important pursuance among all than a good name.
Our names are a symbol of our frame and essence. Name offers a glimpse into character and content. If you care, you may even omit the qualifying substantive "good," it still will not make a difference. The word name to the Hebrews by itself conveyed the idea of good repute. That’s part of why names of some men are deliberately mentioned or not mentioned in scripture. Men without a name usually sink in ignominy or oblivion. Job 30:8 tells us how senseless and nameless broods are driven off the land. Endeavor to diligently guard your name and character. Ecclesiastes 7:1 admonishes us that a good reputation is rather to be chosen than great riches.
Quote for the Day: “I have reasoned that the only element that transits and transcends our earthly existence with the human spirit into the eternal is our names. Books will be opened, and another Book, and names will be called up yonder. Even here on earth; after we are gone, names live on.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, You who obtained a great name that is above all other. Help me to walk in your footsteps to guard the name you have given me so that my name and your name in me may not be dragged to the mud. Amen.
With all my Love and Prayer,
Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,
Grand Prairie TX 75051 US
Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org
BBMme: E3F988D2
[Today’s Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]
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