The Name of God
Written by Administrator Monday, 13 August 2007 03:24
Moses recorded this as one of the Ten Commandments, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). In the New Testament, when Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He began the prayer with these words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9).The “Name” of God represents all that God is. It is synonymous with His nature and character. His “Name” is to be revered and honored.
Listen to the heart of the Psalmist as he expressed his reverence and delight in the “Name” of God.
- “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:3).
- “I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High” (Psalm 7:17).
- “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth” (Psalm 8:1).
And Jesus Himself prayed, “Father, glorify Your name” (Psalm 12:28). The question is, “How can and should we honor, hallow, and glorify the “Name” of God as believers? Here are some specific ways that are mentioned in Scripture.
1. By our joy … “Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (Psalm 5:11).
2. By our singing … “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:2). “I will praise the name of God with a song” (Psalm 69:30).
3. By our trust … “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).
4. By our words … “I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You” (Psalm 22:22).
5. By our praise … “In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever” (Psalm 44:8). “I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:1).
6. By our attitudes … “Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1).
God’s Word further encourages us, “Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2). “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever” (Psalm 86:12).
My prayer for our hearts is this: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).
-- Sparky