As a child of the King of all kings, we should constantly be mistaken for our Father, because of our actions, words, and our heart. But how often does that happen? Way too often our friends will see no difference between followers of Jesus Christ and the ungodly. Why do you suppose that might be? Well, in our Scripture today God said that He would not share His glory with the likes of this world. So wouldn’t that mean that we should be dedicated to the glory of our King and not just to pleasing our friends and the rest of the world? Let’s open our hearts to the Word of the Lord today as we meditate on all that He has to share with us.

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-06-01
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Isaiah 48:11–13
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)

BIBLE TEXT: 11 I will rescue you for my sake – yes, for my own sake! I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols! 12 “Listen to me, O family of Jacob, Israel my chosen one! I alone am God, the First and the Last. 13 It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order.”

APPLICATION: I believe that God spoke to me on two items in these verses this morning, and I wanted to share these thoughts with you:
1. The verses preceding those above spoke about God purifying His people with fire. Then He said something very powerful in verse 11: “I will not let my reputation be tarnished”. Friends, we may claim the name of ‘Christian’ or ‘follower’ or we may have a desire, and a commitment to live like Jesus. However, this may sometimes result in no change in our lives. So we claim to the world that we are ‘Christian’ but we go on living like the world. Based on today’s Scripture, I believe that God will then quickly step in to make sure that His reputation is not tarnished. We hear about Christian leaders being caught in adultery or some other sin, and we may sometimes wonder how did they get caught. We see where sin may have caused the divorce of very good friends. Why? We hear about friends who attend church regularly may no longer attend church, but tend to frequent parties that they never bothered with. These are all awful examples of people who we thought had their act together and were faithful to their Lord, why?? Friends, God said that He will not allow His reputation to be tarnished. I believe that this still very much applies today! Christianity is not a ‘pretend’ thing, it’s a lifelong commitment to the very One who sacrificed His life for our salvation. He’s the One who holds our future in His hands, and may I remind you that He will not allow His reputation to be tarnished!
2. In verses 12 and 13 God reminds us of His awesome power and supremacy. Let’s try to keep in mind that this God that we serve; He who created the universe that we enjoy today; He is the ONLY true God – the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end. Let’s also note that it is just not the human race that is under the obligation of obeying our Master, but even to the stars that we enjoy looking at – God also made them and they are obedient to His call. When we think of the awesomeness of our God, do we need to go any further than to simply read His Word and savor the awesome descriptions of our Creator? May I remind you that we serve a strong, awesome God!
Friends, do you know this awesome God of whom I have spoken in this devotional? If you do, please enjoy His presence today and rejoice in the awesome God that He truly is. If you don’t know my God, please allow me to introduce Him to you. There is information in my ‘Footnote’ that might help you, but I would welcome your email asking for my help. It would be my honor to introduce you to the One who will make the difference between eternal life with the Creator of this universe vs endless death in the presence of the Evil One – Satan. You may do a fine job of showing the world that you are a married person, but are they just as convinced that you are truly a son or daughter of the most High God? If not, why not? Strive to have such a relationship with the Master, that He will shine through in your actions and in your words to one another.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: At times we may feel so engrossed in this wicked world that they are bound to see our mistakes and our sinful nature. God said that He will rescue us – but for His own name’s sake. Is He being glorified through the way that you Live?

PRAYER: Praise God, I can rejoice in the joy of my salvation, the Creator of this universe and the One who lives forevermore! Lord, please deal in my heart daily so that I may never misrepresent You or tarnish Your name. Please touch the hearts of my readers today so that they may also commit to a pure, dedicated life that is totally sold out to You – a life that will never sacrifice or tarnish the wonderful name of Jesus. May others see Jesus through our actions and through all areas of our character, for I ask this in the precious and holy name of Jesus, AMEN!