The Lodestar

Character assassination is common, but the psalmist prays against his enemies, trying to destroy his honour in society.

Honour determines a person's worth and dignity in society; it also decides their influence and relationships since nobody cares about a worthless person. So, portraying people in a bad light is the first step to ruining them. They become non-entities in society while alive.

Job is a biblical example of people falling from honour to shame and disrespect. When he lost his wealth and became sick, he had to leave his place of honour at the city gate among the village chiefs and go to the rubbish dump. "And he (Job) took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes" (Job 2:8). His friends thought he must be a sinner to receive such severe punishment. The village boys laughed at him despite his age. "But now they laugh at me, men who are younger than I, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock" (Job 30:1).

The psalmist exhorts that what matters in life is not public opinion but God's grace in our lives. Christ's followers find comfort in the fact that God is on their side, and they refuse to be swayed by human perceptions but by what God thinks of them. As the psalmist did, they realise they are unique to God. "But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him" (Psa 4:3).

When our reputation is at the crosshairs of those who seek our end, turn to God in prayer along with the psalmist: "There are many who say, 'Who will show us some good?' Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!" (Psa 4:6).

When others attack your reputation, remember your true worth comes from God, not people. Like Job and the psalmist, turn to God in prayer and trust his protection. Do not react in anger or fear; instead, rely on God’s grace, seek support from your faith community, and respond with forgiveness. Your identity is secured in God’s love, and he will uphold your honour when the world tries to tear it down.

(To receive these devotionals daily on WhatsApp, click here.)