“Your reputation”
1 Samuel 29:5 Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands’?”
The word reputation generally means; an opinion that some people can have about someone or something, or the amount of respect or admiration that is had based on past accomplishments, actions, behavior or character.
1st Samuel 18:6 and 7 records what was said about David and Saul when they were returning home after David slayed Goliath;
1 Samuel 18:6-7 “Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. 7 So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”
Many times a person is identified by a reputation that has been given to them by other people, and that reputation can also follow you wherever you go. David’s reputation followed him everywhere he went.
Reputations that people have can be have many meanings when viewed by others. Sometimes others may see a person as being harmful or threating, others may see that same person as being harmless and non-threatening.
Often time’s people will put forth an effort to try to live up to the reputation that has been given to them by others. This is often called “people pleasing.” Trying to be what others see you as, or what they want you to be, is not always a good idea.
David had a reputation of defeating his foes or enemies in battles that he fought, and his reason for fighting in almost all of his battles was not to gain fame, recognition or live up to the reputation that he had obtained.
In 1st Samuel 17:26 David asked the question “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
As we read further in the same chapter, David states the reason he is going into fight with Goliath; “Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.”
David was not concerned about making a reputation for himself when he fought Goliath, he wanted God to get the glory over Goliath be defeated.
A good reputation is great to have, but we shouldn’t let our reputation dictate the type of life style that is lived.
“Lord Jesus, lead and guide us in our thoughts, words and actions so that our reputation won’t be the determining factor in how we live, in your precious name…Amen!”
Continuing in His service…Rev
