DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOR GOD'S SAKE!

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FOR GOD'S SAKE

"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, for Your name's sake." (Psalm 79:9)

How often we hear people use the phrase "For God's Sake" as an oath or profanity. They apparently have no clue what it means.

But neither did I, as a kid. I would hear my father close his prayers with the phrase, "For Jesus' sake." And I would wonder, "What does that mean?" -- For Jesus' sake.

It wasn't until I was older that I understood the significance of these words. I really began to understand when I studied the 23^rd Psalm, "He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake" (Psalm 23:3). The truth is that paths of righteousness are a benefit to the sheep, but the real focus is that our righteousness is for the glory of the Shepherd. His name is at stake, and He is glorified when we live righteous lives.

This is true of Salvation also, as we see in the focus verse. The atonement was certainly for our benefit because it opened the way for our sins to be forgiven so that we could go to heaven. But fundamentally, it was so that God would be glorified. His name and His reputation were at stake when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. When we receive His gift of forgiveness, His nature and character as a loving and forgiving God are demonstrated to the world and to the kingdom of Satan that God is true to His Word. Our salvation is for the glory of His name.

It is a testimony that will last through all eternity that God is merciful and gracious, loving and forgiving. Maybe this is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote to the believers at Ephesus, God "raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" ((Ephesians 2:6-7)

Our salvation and our righteousness are demonstrations of God's goodness. They are done "for His name's sake" -- for His glory and honor-- for God's sake.

Love, Dad