7/5/11- Call On His Name

This Summer our devotion focuses on the Ten Commandments with New Testament crossreferences.

 ¹¹ “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Deuteronomy 5:11)

 “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name", (Mathew 6:9- first petition of the Lord's Prayer)

Thoughts: God tells Moses when Moses asks for God's name, "Tell them 'I Am' has sent you" (Ex. 3:14).  God is the One who defines the very basic verb "to be."  He is life.  He gives life. He strengthens life and gives meaning to life.  He offers us eternal life.  Jesus asks us to use His name in prayer.  Today the name of God is misused in cursing, but it is also misused in that it often goes unused.  To leave God's name and power out of our lives, conversation and prayer is definitely neglect if not misuse.  One of the great blessings of life is the ability to know He is there for us.  One of my favorite songs, written by Carole King and popularized by James Taylor is "You've Got a Friend."  The haunting line is "You just call out my name, and you know wherever I am I'll be there...You've got a friend."  One of God's gifts is that truly we can call out His name and He'll be there.  Do not forget to call on God.

Prayer:  Thank you for your name which is above every name.  At your name every knee will bow in heaven on earth and under the earth.  May I glorify your name by how I live, and how I call on you, O Lord.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Heidelberg Catechism Q. 99. What is required in the third commandment?  A. That we must no profane or abuse the name of God by cursing, by perjury, or by unnecessary oaths. Nor are we to participate in such horrible sins by keeping quiet and thus giving silent consent.  In a word, we must not use the holy name of God except with fear and reverence so that he may be righly confessed and addressed by us, and be glorified in all our words and works. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm2EkEURRqg ("You've Got a Friend")

John Calvin Abridged: God wills that we hallow the majesty of His name, and do not treat His name with contempt.  There are three points: 1) all we think or say about God should show His excellence; 2) we should not for any reason abuse His Word of mysteries; 3) We should not defame His works. We should avoid all useless oaths.