REVERENCE MY NAME
Today’s Text: 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)Today’s Thoughts: God is holy. God’s name is holy. As His people we need to bring honour and glory to His name, not bring dishonour to His name. Whenever we use the Lord’s name we must do so with respect. Using God’s name casually without thought as to its holiness is sin. We need to reverence our God and His holy name. We as humans do not want others to make fun of our names – if we know that that is unkind, then how much more should we realize how evil it is to use God’s name disrespectfully?! Our God has a holy and wonderful name. Let us always reverence His name.
Today’s Testimony: I remember learning about the Ten Commandments when I was in primary school. We’re all aware of the often used expressions that make use of God’s name out of its holy context. Some people use His name on purpose to mock Him; others have never really thought anything about it. But whether we do it on purpose or innocently, we are still dishonouring His holy name. The teacher that was presenting the Ten Commandments to us took it a few steps further. She first said that we must not use the word “God” as an expression. She then added that we should not even use words that sound similar. You know how people feel it’s wrong to say “God” so they start changing a letter or two. Does that really make a difference?! Surely we can replace the whole word totally if we must use an expression or even use a totally different expression or no expressions at all. I for one would rather choose one of the latter options than to make God’s name appear unholy. My teacher didn’t stop there. She then asked us about words that refer to God. How about “Word” and “Goodness”? Maybe you can think of some more. I decided to put all those questionable expressions behind me. There is always something far more acceptable to use if we have to say anything at all. The last thing I want to do is hurt my God by dishonouring His name.
Now I’d like us to take a deeper look into dishonouring God’s name. Have you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour? Are you His child? Do you call yourself a Christian? If yes, then… can the world see that you belong to a loving God? If we are Christ’s followers we are examples to the world of who He is. If we give a bad example we are bringing dishonour to His name – we are using His name and calling ourselves Christians, but advertising for Satan! It is not a light thing to say God’s name out of its holy context, neither is it a light thing to use God’s name (call ourselves Christians) and not live up to that name. No matter how we do it we must never ever bring dishonour to God’s name. His name is holy and must be treated with the highest respect. Our talk and lives must be a witness that we serve a holy and loving God. His name deserves to be reverenced.
Now we need to discuss what’s in it for us. Faithful children would never want to dishonour their father’s name right? God’s true children will never bring dishonour to God’s name on purpose and will be very sad if they do. God will spend eternity with His children. Those who aren’t God’s true children would not be happy living for eternity without sin, and therefore will not be there. If we want to spend eternity with our loving Saviour we need to live as His children. We need to speak and act as His children. We need to live and speak for His glory. The choice is ours – eternity is waiting for those who reverence God’s name and do not take it in vain.
Today’s Task: Remember that God’s name is holy and reverence His name. Do not use it lightly or out of its holy context. Do not call yourself a Christian unless you are willing to live as a Christian and be a good example for Christ. Never ever dishonour God’s name. It is sin and it saddens our God. God loves you more than you will ever know. Please give Him due respect. Talk for God and live for God – then when day you can talk with God and live with God. What a day that will be!
Today’s Thanks: O Lord I praise You that You thought of us when You gave the commandment to reverence Your name. You knew that we would not be able to spend eternity with You if we did not learn to talk for You and live for You. I thank You that You loved us enough to share with us what hurts You. Please help us to use Your name with respect so that we will not hurt You. Lord help us to never use Your name disrespectfully on purpose and anger You. You and Your name are holy – help us to treat them as holy. Help us to be faithful witnesses for You – showing to the world that we serve an amazing God. Help us to live up to the name Christian in all that we do and say. We love Your holy name Lord. We love You. We praise You and thank You in Christ’s name, Amen.
