Bible Study

July 2005

God's Renown

By Suzanne Mosely, Director of Student Outreach at Union University

As I write this, I sit on my bed in a nice hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. Such a beautiful city with beautiful, gracious people! Despite the beauty surrounding me, my heart is deeply saddened by this place. Upon entering the local gas station, fast food restaurant, or one of the hundreds of universities, the idol of each establishment can be found on display. My hotel has its idol proudly exhibited behind the front desk. Each idol has offerings of fresh fruit, money and gorgeous flowers laid before its feet – offerings of appeasement and hopes of good fortune and blessing.

My mind quickly recalls Isaiah 26:8, “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts” (NIV). My heart is saddened, yes, because the people are building their lives on a powerless idol who can offer them nothing. My true and primary sadness, however, is that God’s name is not receiving the honor that He – and only He – deserves. His renown has not spread over Bangkok.

We sit, in comfortable America, idly watching our days pass. Is the name and renown of God truly the desire of our hearts? Do we lift prayers of intercession for the nations, tribes, and tongues who have never heard the truth of Jesus? Do our actions indicate that His name and His renown are the desires of our hearts? Are we grieved that God’s name and renown is not known among 1.7 billion unreached peoples? These people are daily giving glory to other gods.

What gods in your life distract you from seeking God's renown among the nations? (Ex. grades, a boyfriend/girlfriend, desire to be entertained, etc.) Write your answers below.

What can you do to shut the distractions you listed above out of your life?

List 2 things you will do this month to focus on God receiving glory from the people groups of the world. (Ideas are listed in the Bible study. Here are some more ideas: pray for a people group using Matt. 9:37-38, befriend an international student at my school, look in my Bible's concordance for all the references to the “nations” and read those verses, write a praise song about taking God's love to the nations)

A heart enamored with God longs for Him to receive the worship of members from every nation, tongue, and tribe. May the name and renown of God truly be the desire of your heart today. Such a life values spreading the name of the one true God above all else.

Lord, may all persons reading this today say with a pure heart, “Above all else I desire Your Name and Your renown.” May their lives be spent taking Your name to the peoples of the world, who are spending their lives making much of other gods.