Chapter 86—A Hallowed Name
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9
.
To hallow the name of the Lord requires that the words in which we speak
of the Supreme Being be uttered with reverence. “Holy and reverend is his
name” (
Psalm 111:9
). We are never in any manner to treat lightly the titles
or appellations of the Deity. In prayer we enter the audience chamber of the
Most High; and we should come before Him with holy awe. The angels veil
their faces in His presence. The cherubim and the bright and holy seraphim
approach His throne with solemn reverence. How much more should we,
finite, sinful beings, come in a reverent manner before the Lord, our Maker!
But to hallow the name of the Lord means much more than this. We
may, like the Jews in Christ’s day, manifest the greatest outward reverence
for God, and yet profane His name continually. “The name of the Lord” is
“merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
... forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (
Exodus 34:5-7
). Of the
church of Christ it is written, “This is the name wherewith she shall be called,
The Lord our Righteousness” (
Jeremiah 33:16
). This name is put upon every
follower of Christ. It is the heritage of the child of God. The family are
called after the Father. The prophet Jeremiah, in the time of Israel’s sore
distress and tribulation, prayed, “We are called by thy name; leave us not”
(
Jeremiah 14:9
).
This name is hallowed by the angels of heaven, by the inhabitants of
unfallen worlds. When you pray, “Hallowed be thy name,” you ask that it
may be hallowed in this world, hallowed in you. God has acknowledged you
before men and angels as His child; pray that you may do no dishonor to the
“worthy name by which ye are called” (
James 2:7
). God sends you into the
world as His representatives. In every act of life you are to make manifest
the name of God. This petition calls upon you to possess His character. You
cannot hallow His name, you cannot represent Him to the world, unless in
life and character you represent the very life and character of God. This you
can do only through the acceptance of the grace and righteousness of Christ.
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