When the disciples of Jesus asked Him how they should pray, He gave them what we call “The LORD’s Prayer.” The very beginning of that prayer reminds us that we have a relationship with a Glorious Father in heaven. No longer are we just His creation (as fantastic as that may be to be made in the image of God), now we are also His children. “Our Father,” reminds us we are His.
I remember as a young girl, I was often reminded that what I did as a child, (or teenager) reflected on my parents. I could, by my actions, destroy my family’s good name and reputation.
Jesus reminds us that after we acknowledge our relationship with our Father, we are to hallow His Good Name. “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name ….”
“Hallowed” is hagiazo in the Greek. It comes from a root word which means to make holy. We are to make holy, consecrate, venerate, sanctify the name of our Father in heaven. It isn’t only by our words that we venerate the name of God, it is by our actions and attitudes.
If we are fearful when God has told us to be courageous, we dishonor His Name. When we are dishonest, selfish, greedy or covetous while our God is good, kind, giving and true, we dishonor His Name. When we seek to acquire the things of this world more than seek His face, we dishonor His Name.
The world is in the midst of a viral- and FEAR-pandemic. If we join in their fear, we are saying to them that our God is helpless and weak rather than all-powerful, mighty and strong. And we dishonor His Name.
Let us pray today to honor Him, to hallow, sanctify, venerate His Glorious Name. He is Jehovah, our Savior, Provider, Healer, Deliverer, Refuge, Strength and Peace. Let’s show that to the world.
