Sunday January 17, 2010

Hallowed Be Your Name!

The twelve disciples longed to be like their teacher and friend, Jesus, and were always asking Him questions. One of the questions they asked was, "how do we pray?"

Being good Jewish boys they knew "how" to pray, but when Jesus prayed it must of been different enough that it prompted the question. To Jesus, prayer wasn't a ritual, it was a form of communion with His Father. The prayer that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:9-13 wasn't intended to become a formula. He was shedding light to their real question - "why are Your prayers so different than ours?"

Our focus Sunday wasn't really on the Lord's prayer, but on His first instruction to a life of prayer, "Our Father who is heaven, hallowed be Your name" (Mt. 6:9).

The word hallowed means to revere, respect, value and honor. Jesus is revealing that we are to live our life in awe of His name. John 17:6 says, "I (Jesus) have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world." Jesus not only taught about God, He was the manifestation of God.

There is a book of remembrance that sits before the Lord night and day. Whether it's always open, always read from, or just there isn't the point. The point is that a book of remembrance has recorded your life. This recorded life is not a naughty list or goody list as if God is Santa Clause. This book holds the record of those that fear the Lord and meditate on His name. (Mal 3:16) It is a recording of the plans and purposes God has for you.

Jesus is saying, "know My name! Mediate on My name. Call upon My name." (Ps 116:4-5) Let My name manifest before you, so that the whole earth may see the glory of God.

As the book of remembrance is set before the Lord and your life is written in it, let the Holy Spirit stir up in you His name so that you may see the desires, dreams, hopes and promises that God has for you.

I passed out a bookmark with a few names of God to mediate on. Be sure to pick a bookmark at church, but until then mediate on these amazing names of God.

Jehovah-Tzidkenu:
“The Lord our Righteousness”
Jer 23:6, 2 Cor 5:21

Jehovah-M’Kaddishchem:
“The Lord Who Sanctifies You”
Lev 20:8

Jehovah-Shalom:
“The Lord Is Peace”
Jdg 6:24, Eph 2:14

Jehovah-Shammah:
“The Lord Is There” - Eze 48:35

Jehovah-Rapha:
“The Lord Who Heals” - Isa 53:5

Jehovah-Jireh:
“The Lord Will Provide”
Gen 22:13-14

Jehovah-Nissi:
“The Lord Is Our Victorious
Banner” - Ex 17:15, Rom 8:31,37

Jehovah-Raah:
“The Lord Is Our Shepherd”
Psalm 23, Jn 10:27-28

Adonai: “Lord” - Maker, Gen 15:2

El-Elyon: “Most High God”
Gen 14:19-20

Jehovah-Kavod:
“The Lord of Glory” - Ps 24:7-10

Jehovah-Or:
“The Lord Is Light”
Ps 36:9, 1 Jn 1:5

“For with you is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”
Ps 36:9