Making Him Famous

– Psalm 45:17

During the latter part of last year, I attended too many funerals.  It seemed like I was wearing a black suit every weekend.  A majority of the memorial services were friends, mentors or influencers that have been a part of my life for over 30 years.

In reflection, I was captured with the consistency of commitment in each of their lives.  Although each was different, there was a thread of worship woven in the tapestry of their lives.  In tne challenges of life, they journeyed in joy, served as surrendered saints, and grew in grace.

These Kingdom giants told their story, triumphed in suffering and trusted their Savior.  They left this world a better place because they left the best pieces of themselves.  These were vested in The One and invested in others.  They made Jesus famous.

The psalmist’s words are given insight through The Message, “I’ll make you famous for generations; you’ll be the talk of the town for a long, long time.” (Psalm 45:17)

We Tell Our Story.  A. Kathryn Hankey wrote these words in 1866 which have become a song of the saints, “I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.  I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true; It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.”  The psalmist captured this thought, “My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the King; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.”  (Ps 45:1)  The blind man healed by Jesus told his story, “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)  In the movie “Saving Mr. Banks, Walt Disney says “That’s what story tellers do. We restore order with imagination.  We bring hope.”  I like to think we tell our story to restore order with inspiration.  That’s how we bring hope.

We Triumph In Suffering.  Peter encourages us, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” (1 Pet 4:13) Our triumph testifies of His triumph.  Our victory verifies His victory.  Peter continues, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Pet 5:10)

We Trust Our Savior. The Sheperd King wrote, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” (Ps 28:7)  Our confidence in The Christ communicates our commitment to His care.  The Message records Solomon’s words of wisdom, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God!” (Prov 3:5-6)

Today is the day to make Jesus famous . . . and His fame will last for all generations.