Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 13:54:43 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Feb. 8); BP: Mt. 6:5-15; RBTTY: Mt. 24:29-51; Lev.
February 8 “Hallowed Be Thy Name”
“After this manner, therefore, pray, ‘Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name’.”
Matthew 6:9
Although we’re now able to call Him “Abba/Daddy” (Rom. 8:15), we still should never forget Who He is.
Prior to Jesus’ arrival on the scene, God was a mystical, mighty, supernatural, invisible Being Who’d revealed Himself in various ways down through history. Throughout Israel’s history, He’d manifested Himself through things like a burning bush, angels, prophecies, visions, etc.; however, after Jesus invaded time-and-space as “the Word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14), all of that changed (Heb. 1:1-3).
The disciples weren’t used to hearing someone talk so intimately about the God of Abraham. Perhaps Jesus had a far-away, wistful look in His eye when He talked about His “Heavenly Father.” And, we can rest assured there was a tone of intimacy in His Voice when He prayed—almost like a child sitting on his father’s lap in conversation.
Even so, there was still a tone of reverence. And, that’s why Jesus included today’s Manna in His instructions on how to pray. Nowadays it’s easy to slip into a casual, glib style of worship. . .where the outward attire somehow reveals one’s inward attitude.
While it’s true that the Heavenly Father doesn’t judge us by our external appearance, He still desires—or is that demands—that we approach Him with the reverent respect He deserves. That’s why the words “Hallowed be Thy Name” should never be very far from our lips when we pray in private or in public.
The Greek word “hagiazo” is used here for “hallowed” and also means “to be holy, sanctify, set apart, to honor as holy, etc.” Thus, we should never use any form of God’s Name in a slovenly or coarse way. Likewise, we should also be ever-mindful that it’s possible to take His name in vain by the way we live (Prov. 30:9).
The prophet Isaiah had a moving encounter with the God of the universe “in the year King Uzziah died” (Is. 6:1a). . .for it was in that significant year in his life that “he also saw the Lord high and lifted up, sitting on a throne, and the train of his righteous Robe filled the Temple” (v.1b). Likewise, he also saw the six-winged seraphim flying above the Throne, crying “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory” as it covered its eyes with two wings and its loins with two wings as it flew (v.2).
What effect did this have on the aging prophet? It caused him to cry, “Woe is me!. . .for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips—for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (v.5). Thankfully, the Lord God didn’t leave him in his sinful, distraught condition; instead, He dispatched one of the seraphim from the Heavenly altar with a burning coal to bring cleansing and healing. And, thankfully, today our Heavenly Father sends His Spirit to do the same for us when we realize His Holiness and our sinfulness. Hallelujah!! May we always remember His Name is “hallowed” when we approach Him in prayer.
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