Bible Portion to read: Ezekiel 36:16-38
Focused Verse :
Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. - Ezekiel 36:22.
As we study more about God and try to understand His nature, we get an opportunity to align our life in a way that is pleasing to His eyes.
God cares for His name
Today, we will focus on how much God cares for His name. God's name can't be treated in line with a human name. Not many of our name resembles our daily life. For example, a person's name could be Sweety. But her actual life may not be sweet. A person named Faith may not have any faith in God. The human name does not reflect who we are. But God's name tells about his attitude, His character, and who He is.
God revealed to Moses that His name is I am who I am. In other words, it means "I will be what I will be". His character never changes. Malachi 3:6 says, "I the LORD do not change." The Bible says, "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" God's name, "I am who I am," tells a lot about His unchanging nature. We can always put our trust in Him. He is our rock. His promises, grace, love, kindness, and goodness never stop flowing from heaven to earth.
Whenever we are in desperate need we call upon the name of the Lord. The Bible says Jesus is the hope for all mankind. His name is higher than any other name. There is no other name to seek when the doctor gives up. The precious name of our Lord is the only hope amid the hopeless situation. Every time we start the Lord's prayer, we say Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. He is a holy God. His name reflects holiness. There is none as Holy as our God. He is pure, blameless, and spotless.
Why do we need to respect God's name?
It is easier for someone to trust and love God when they deeply respect His name. There are many today who use the name of the Lord to swear and to make fun. Is it appropriate? We are not allowed to talk against the high officials of our country. Can we misuse the name of the Lord, who created heaven and earth? God is very particular that humanity does not profane His Holy name. God said, "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name" - Exodus 20:7. Dear friend, we are not supposed to use God's name in vain. If we have done this in the past, we need to stop today.
The Bible says, "To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." We may not come from a wealthy or prominent family. God gives an invitation to every one of us to become His children. Isn't it a great honor to become the child of God? When we believe in the name of Jesus and obey His words, we earn the right to become the children of God.
The sentence, I am the Lord repeats more than a hundred times in the Bible. Whenever God gave a law or instruction to the people of Israelites, He added His name as part of it. For Example, God says, I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. - Lev 11:44. Whenever God gives a promise, He makes them authentic and binding by adding His name. In Isaiah 41:13, God says, For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
The Most Powerful name
The name of Jesus is so powerful. The Bible says, "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." As children of God, we have direct access to call upon His name. Jesus said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye. shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you". Jesus wants us to go to His presence and ask, seek, and knock. The heaven doors are open to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord.
Finally, Jesus wants to give us a new name when we go to Heaven. The earthly name may not convey who we are. But the name Jesus gives would be a special and very personal one. He gives a new name to everyone who overcome the world and become victorious. Jesus said, "To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it." What a great place to be honored by God himself in heaven. That too in the presence of all the saints and angels.
Dear friend, shall we bow our heads fearfully and with all humility. We worship a great God. We are the ambassadors on the planet Earth who glorify His great name. Let's pray to Jesus to lead a life that would be worthy of His name. Everyone who sees us should magnify and glorify our heavenly Father.
Please place your hand on your heart and call out the name of Jesus. Pray the below prayer along with us from the bottom of your heart.
Dear Jesus, we are praying along with our dear brother/sister who is going through this message. You love them dearly. You care for them. Jesus, help us to honor your name. You are a great God. Help us to live our life in a way that will magnify your name. We lift your name on high. We want to give all the honor and glory to your precious name. Jesus, help us to love you with all our heart, soul, and our strength. Be glorified and be magnified in our life. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Dear friend, thanks so much for spending your time with us. We pray God speaks to you and guide you. May Jesus bless you and make you a blessing for many.
