A GOOD NAME

A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches, and loving
favour rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1

It was always interesting in high school watching girls writing boys names on their notebooks. The guy didn't have to be someone they were even dating...it could be just a crush. There was something of meaning for a girl just writing that name. When my husband and I were dating, I must admit I didn't even give a thought to doing that. Of course, I also wasn't in high school at the time. The day came when Brian proposed, I accepted and a wedding was planned.

About two weeks before the wedding, Brian brought me a bank card. He was opening a checking account for us and I had to sign the card. He may not remember that moment but it's as vivid to me as if it were yesterday. In that moment, I absolutely froze. It suddenly dawned on me that at the age of 30, I was taking on a new name. From anything I could learn about Brian, he was a godly man of character and integrity. His name wasn't mine quite yet, but I remember thinking I didn't want to bring any shame to that name. Once a name is tainted, it's very difficult to clean it up.

As I write, we are at our daughter Beverly's home in Florida where they have been for about eight weeks. Yesterday, she took us to the Holy Land Experience near Orlando. I had heard of this place and wanted to go to it but never had reason to even visit Florida until now. So much of it was wonderfully fascinating and all was done with great class from the surroundings to presentations. While walking across the temple plaza, I looked up and on a huge wall in front of me written in various scripts were those holy names of Jesus. I just stood there for a moment gazing at that wall. When reading any of those names, only clean and holy thoughts have to run through the minds of those reading that wall.

Just in looking at some verses in Scripture, it's refreshing see some things said about our Lord's name:

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; tho art great, and thy name is great in might. Jeremiah 10:6

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

There are so many other verses that speak of our Lord's name that would be too many to list but in the final analysis, Philippians 2: 9-11 is the capstone for me with regards to that precious name.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name;
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in the earth,
and things under the earth.
And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.

Why do some folks curse using God's name? I believe it's because it's the most powerful name anyone could possibly use to make their point. It also speaks of who and what they are in their standing before God.

What about our names? When someone hears our name spoken in a group of people who would know us, what would come to their mind? This is where our testimony is at stake not just before Christians but before the world. A good name, once smeared through worldly activity and associations, is easily damaged perhaps for a lifetime. The loser of the good name is often oblivious to what is involved in such a loss. Solomon tells us in his book of Proverbs, 22:1:

A good name is rather to be chosen than
great riches, and loving favour rather
than silver and gold.

Any time our name is mentioned, it should speak in the mind of others the things of God and goodness. We aren't perfect but Jesus in our lives and His Words on our lips should be of notice to others. May it be so in our lives.

Dear Father, I never want to besmirch Your name in any way. May I always bring honor to it in all I do or say. Thank You for all of Your precious names I see in Your Word. I love you Amen.