A PLACE OF NO REPUTATION

A PLACE OF NO REPUTATION By David Wilkerson

At one time, Moses had been held in high esteem, respected in high government
places, great in reputation and prestige. He moved among the wealthy and was
one of the best-known men of his time. But when God spoke to him out of the
burning bush (see Exodus 3:5), Moses had decreased to zero point.

God couldn't use him until he tore him away from his worldly attachments. Who
knew Moses now? Hidden away, out of sight—silenced and without influence. He
had no outlet for his great energy.

But the very moment Moses reached zero point—when his reputation was totally
lost and there was nothing left of the old, self-assured Moses—he was on holy
ground!

How long did God wait by that bush, ready to break forth in a glorious new
revelation? Only until that final, breaking moment when Moses truly no longer
cared about his work or his reputation. When he gave up the last scraps of
self-reliance, he found revelation.

The Lord Jesus stood on this same holy ground. The Scriptures say, "He made
himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant..."
(Philippians 2:7).

Shunning reputation and becoming a servant was a willful choice. Thank God for
those who once again are being called to such holy ground, seeking to decrease
that he may increase, and prepared for servanthood.

One great man of God wrote, "The man of God who truly preaches the Word will
finally give up the idea of being known. If he preaches Christ, his reputation
will constantly decrease and Christ will increase. True prophets die unknown.
God gives them their dues only after they die."

I believe that if we seek a larger, more widespread reputation, something is
missing in our message. Self is too prominent. Christ should be gaining and we
should be losing recognition. We should be less known as the years go by until,
like Paul, we end up shut in with God.

May we all decrease! May he alone increase! God help us to get back to this
holy ground.