To decide if a potential employee is the right person for a job, employers use resumes, education, work history, and references. A person’s past gives clues to their character and ability to succeed. God does not need our opinions to confirm His character or to protect His reputation. Still, we find in Scripture that God may act to protect His name. He may call attention to his deeds so onlookers can see what kind of God He is. In so doing, people will have less reason to question His knowledge, wisdom, love, and power. We see that in the book of Isaiah. In chapter 48, God speaks through the prophet to say to the people their exile came because they refused to obey their covenant commitment. Yet now God says He will let them go home lest surrounding nations tar His reputation by spreading the false idea that God did not care for them, and if He did care for them, then He was unable to protect them. God said He would release them from exile to protect His reputation. This tells us God may act without telling why us why He does so. We learn to accept God’s will, knowing He makes all things work for His glory and our benefit.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
