My Holy Name
Today’s Verse:
So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel. ~Ezekiel 39:7
Your name conveys to others who you are. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” In Ezekiel 38-39, we read of a future attack that Russia and the Islamic nations will mount against Israel at the midway point of the Great Tribulation. God will intervene for Israel, and the adversaries will be overthrown. God will use this win so that His people and the nations of the world will acknowledge and worship His holy name. God’s name is holy and above all other names.
We see the precept.
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7). When Israel left Egypt, God needed to give them unalterable commandments for daily living. They had lived among idolatrous people who blasphemed God’s name. No one needs to teach us how to swear or curse. We do this out of the evil of an unregenerate heart. God established the commandment that His name is not to be said or taken in vain. God’s name is not to be used laughingly, loosely, or vulgarly. God’s name is holy.
We see the praise.
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3). God’s name represents all that He is. He is holy, just, merciful, eternal, loving, almighty, forgiving, comforting, and so much more. From sunup to sundown, God’s name is to be praised. We are to be in a constant state of praising the Lord for His glorious name. His name represents every attribute of His Person. All of creation sings and worships the Lord’s name. The praising of God’s name affects our perspective. The praising of God’s name affects our performance. The praising of God’s name affects our person. Let us praise God’s holy name!
We see the profaning.
Sadly, God’s people were using God’s name disrespectfully. They had become prosperous and had forgotten that God was the One Who gave them wealth. They made unwise alliances with unbelievers whose cursing and swearing affected them. If you are around people who use profanities, you will find yourself speaking the same way. Peter warmed himself at a fire surrounded by the wrong crowd. When he was accused of being a follower of Jesus, he cursed and swore that he was not. He went from being close to Jesus a couple of hours earlier to sounding like a pagan unbeliever at that fire. God is grieved when His name is profaned.
We see the practice.
Settle in your heart that God’s name is holy and that you will not take His name in vain. First, practice thanking the Lord for His glorious name. Learn the names of God in the Bible and thank Him for His names. Second, when you pray in Jesus’ name, remember that His holy name gives you access to God’s power and resources. Third, exalt God’s name through a consistent and vibrant witness. We live in a culture that is in serious spiritual and moral decline. Many have no concept of God but have learned to take His name in vain. Be bold in your witness, and let it be seen in your life that God’s name is held in high reverence. Let God’s name be exalted!
Have a God-exalting God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Revelation 4-8