Reputation

Originally written on March 18

Today: 1 Chronicles 12-14

Let’s play a little game. I’m going to write a series of words. As you read them, think about the first adjective that comes to your mind to describe them:

Coca-Cola

Mexico

Michael Jordan

New York

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

Princess Diana

McDonald’s

These words may seem a bit random, but it’s likely that each word conjures up an image in your mind. Each one of these people, brands and places has a reputation. And so do you.

There are some people who would argue, “I don’t care what other people think about me” or “God’s opinion is the only one that matters.” And there are others whose decisions are driven by what “everyone” thinks. I’d argue that neither approach is right. We shouldn’t dismiss the importance of reputation, but we shouldn’t be driven to uphold a reputation with others for our own sake.

Today’s passage had a few interesting excerpts that touched on the concept of reputation. Take a look:

King Hiram of Tyre sent an envoy to David,
along with cedar lumber, masons, and carpenters
to build him a royal palace.
Then David knew for sure
that God had confirmed him as king over Israel,
because of the rising reputation
that God was giving his kingdom
for the benefit of his people Israel.
…David was soon famous all over the place,
far and near;
and God put the fear of God into the godless nations.

What stands out to me here is the fact that David’s reputation was so tied to God and/or God’s reputation. When people from other nations heard about David and what God was doing in and through him, it impacted their views not just of David, but of God. David’s reputation likely opened some doors (like the King of Tyre giving him materials for a palace) and closed others (e.g. some godless countries, afraid of God’s power, probably didn’t attack Israel because of David’s reputation).

What is your reputation?

How does it reflect what/Who you believe in?

Tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 15-17