Hallowed Be Thy Name
Matthew 6:9
Opening ILL/ Dialog: Job - many problems. Cattle, sheep, kids - DEAD. day 1
wife - “curse God and die”
Friends - came condemning Job for “???”
Job - one major flaw his tongue
Job cried out... (3:1)
Eliphaz the Temanite answered ... (4:1)
Job answered ... (6:1)
Bildad the Shuhite answered ... (8:1)
Job answered ... (9:1)
Zophath the Naamathite answered ... (11:1)
23 chapters of back and forth, then Job really lets his OPINION of God be heard. For 6 chapters; each is introduced and Job continued: defining God, explaining God, reviewing God...Then
38:1 “Then the Lord answered Job” Job hears the first word and realizes he talked about God, but never “hallowed” Him.
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—
while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Job 38:3-7(NIV)
God is saying to Job, “you are not on my level.” Do not speak “with authority” about me, speak with reverence toward Me, and towards My place in your Life.
“Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? Job 38:16
“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, Job 38:22
“Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?
Do you make it leap like a locust, striking terror with its proud snorting? Job 39:19-20
“Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings toward the south? Job 39:26
Once you can answer these simple questions, Job, then we can talk about your bit of pain and suffering.
Then Job answered the Lord:
“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. Job 40:3-4
Before he heard God, Job could not speak enough. After he heard God, he could not speak at all!
The word for such moments is reverence.
Prayer
“When you pray “hallowed be thy name,” you climb to a new level of respect for God and reverence for his person. You are ascending to the very heart of God to recognize who His and what He has done for us.” - Elmer Towns Praying Through the Lord’s Prayer
What does it mean to “hallow” His name? The word “hallow” is the Greek word hagios which is the word for holy, “Hallow” means “to set apart as holy, to consider holy , to treat as holy.” The best modern word perhaps is reverence. When you pray “hallowed be your name” you are saying, “let your name be holy and reverence on earth as it already is in heaven.
John Hamby says we are saying, “May your name be given the unique reverence that is due your character and nature as the Heavenly Father.”
When you begin your prayers “Hallowed be thy name,” you are not rushing into the presence of God to demand something, you come into his presence recognizing who God is and what He can do for you.”
The name of God is always an expression of His character. The Psalmist said (20:7) “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember (boast ) the name (character) of the LORD our God”. (NKJV)
His Names are Holy
When we understand that God’s names reveal who God desires to be in relation to us, then we realize that His names invite us to know Him.
Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead,….” (NKJV)
Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork”. (NKJV)
We can reverence God and worship him by Praying Through the Names of God. Each of the names of God reveals some aspect of his character.
Elohim – the mighty Creator (Gen 1:1)
Adonai – master or Lord ( Gen 15 – Abraham)
El Shaddai – Almighty (Gen 17 – Abraham)
El-Elyon- Most High (Gen 14 – Abraham)
El Roi - The Strong one that Sees (Gen 16 – Hagar)
El Olam - Everlasting God (Gen 21:22-33)
Jehovah – self-existent one (Exodus 3: 14-15 – Moses)
Jehovah Jireh – the Lord our Provider (Gen 22)
Jehovah M’kaddesh – the God who Sanctifies(Lev 20:1-8)
Jehovah Nissi – the Lord our Banner (Exodus 17:8-16)
Jehovah Rohi – the Lord my Shepherd (Psalm 23)
Jehovah Rophe –the God who Heals (Exodus 15:22-26)
Jehovah Shalom – the Lord of our Peace (Jud. 6:11-24)
Jehovah Shammah – the Lord is Here (Ezekiel 48:30-35)
Jehovah Tsidkenu – the Lord our Righteousness (Jer. 23:5-6)
When we pray we should acknowledge God’s names in reference to our needs.
We Are Made Holy By Him
When Jesus taught us to pray “hallowed be thy name,” He was telling us to make the presence of God real in our hearts. When you pray “hallowed be thy name,” you are placing God on the throne of your heart. It is about putting God on the throne of our lives on earth, as He sits upon His throne in heaven.
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:20-22
His name is hallowed in our relationship when in praying “hallowed be thy name” we mean that first and foremost we desire our life to reveal to others to the name of Jesus and the character or God. When we are supremely concerned that every detail of our lives should be for His glory.
Whatever service you or I may undertake our first thought should be, “Is this for His glory?” This thought should be in my thoughts when I choose the books I will read or the movies I will watch. This phrase applies to the friends I make and how I treat them. It will be the chief concern in all habits I form and all the ambitions that I cherish. This will be my supreme object in every pleasure I seek. This will be my attitude concerning every sorrow and trial I face.
III. Reflect His Holiness
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1Corinthians 10:31
“In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; Let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.” Psalm 31:1-5
When we pray each day “Hallowed be thy name,’ we are saying, “Father your reputation is at stake in me today. May I live in such a way as to be a credit to your person. My others see your character through my behavior and honor your name because of what they see of you in me.”
Conclusion
This is not a proclamation, not an announcement. It is a plea; an appeal. “Be hallowed Lord.” - Do whatever it takes to be holy in my life. Be exalted; magnified; glorified.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 - 1 command, 1 promise
Command -“Be still”- proclaim ME at the right time; not in ur time w/Me = cover ur mouth
Promise - you will “know that I am God” Be bathed in His glory;comforted in His Love.
