“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)

The other day I went to a coffee shop for a meeting. As I was getting a refill, a young lady sitting at a nearby table called out my name. Knowing I didn’t recognize her, she introduced herself as Duane Whitfield’s granddaughter.

The first words out of my mouth were. “Anybody connected with Duane Whitfield is a friend of mine.” Why did I say this? Because Duane Whitfield has established a good name with me and has simply won my favor. Over the last seven years I have known this man, he has consistently been an advocate for me. He has never turned down any of my requests and has actively sought to encourage me and stand up for me. He has been a faithful friend.

I can’t speak for God, but my best guess is that Duane has established a good name with God because he faithfully relies on God’s presence in his life. Through Duane’s goo d name, people like me who have been blessed by him extend favor to his offspring. What a wonderful gift to give your children.

Everyone has a name, but not everyone has established a good name. In God’s strength, shoot for a good name.

“I have established a good name with God and others based on my loyalty to those relationships.”

[Excerpt from Believe: 31-Day Devotional by Randy & Roxanne Frazee, pgs. 59-60.]