Hallowed Be Thy Name
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 12/14/2014 AM |
Text: | Jeremiah 9; Lord's Day 47 |
Psalters: | 268, 364, 130, 306 |
- The meaning.
- God is unknowable because He is Wholly Other, infinite and invisible.
- God gives Himself "names" so we might know Him. His “name” is everything that reveals Him.
- God’s name is seen in many places: in creation, in Scripture, in Jesus, in the preaching of the gospel.
- Only those given faith can "see" God (John 3:3), i.e., know Him in a personal way (not just about Him).
- We are to ask the Father to teach us and to enable us to hallow His revelation of Himself.
- “Hallowing” refers to something as honorable and distinct; not that we make it holy, but that we see that it is holy.
- God's name is hallowed when His revelation is esteemed as the most important knowledge.
- Work in our minds and hearts that we may more and more see Him and His glory in all things.
- Make us sensitive to Him so He is not blasphemed on our account but glorified (Ps. 143:10).
- Work in us so we show that He is worthy to be sought, loved, feared, and honored.
- Make us to hallow His name with others by witnessing to Him, and praising Him together (Ps. 34:3).
- And vindicate Thy name of all dishonor (Psalm 83).
- What is the reason our Lord Jesus wants us to pray this petition and to pray it first?
- His transcendent glory makes Him worthy to be hallowed.
- This is to be our greatest desire; with nothing more important to us.
- Only when we love Him, are we able and willing to pray this petition.