Hallowed: Honored as holy, revered and respected. As Jesus provided us with a blueprint on how to pray, He prayed: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Our intimate heavenly Father, all powerful creator of heaven and earth who reigns upon His throne in heaven over all the affairs of men, honor and glory be unto your name. We need to pause and consider the very depth of those words. The word hallowed appears in the New Testament only in the Lord’s Pray (Matthew 6 and Luke 11). Can we really honor God and Hallow His name? We must look to Old Testament to fully grasp the depth of what Jesus spoke of in this verse.
Hallowed be thy name, Lord, in my heart, my spirit, and my life. Lift up within me your name high above all other names in honor, glory and praise. But how do I do that?
Honor God within your Heart
To honor God within our heart, we must first know Him as Father. We honor Him by trusting Him, regardless of the circumstances that surround us. Demonstrating our respect, we furthermore, keep His commandments. We the adopted children of God (through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ); must be constantly aware of how our actions represent our family name. That is true within our human families; and, is even truer in our heavenly family. There is an entire world, in need of Christ; who are watching on. Some could easily say that the greatest deterrent to Christianity are some of the “Christians” we meet along this journey of life. Obedience is the best representative of our love, devotion and trust of God as our Father.
Therefore, shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the Lord. Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the Lord which hallow you. That brought you of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord (Leviticus 22:31-33).
Just as God had brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, He has brought us out of a life of idolatry, slavery to sin, and unfruitful labor. How can we then profane His Holy Name by living a life filled with anger, hate, greed, and sin; while, proclaiming that we are Christians. Nothing could bring more disgrace to His name than that, causing many to turn away from the Grace He so freely gives.
Honor God with our Finances
When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.
I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me (Deuteronomy 26: 12-14)
If we are to honor God with our giving, then we must go beyond the giving only to the church. Rather, we are to be generous of heart. Seeking to help the widow, the stranger, and the fatherless; we demonstrate both our trust and honor of Him who is our provider. Yet, even in this, we must do so with a humbled heart that seeks to sing His praise as the Provider. We cannot boast as to what we do in devotion of our money or our time; rather, He should receive all the praise.
Honor God with Humility
We honor God with humility. Only He can transform our hearts.
‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then …you shall be My people, and I will be your God. I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses…Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will [e]loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations. Not for your sake do I do this,” says the Lord God, “let it be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your own ways…
Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it” Ezekiel 36:22,23, 25-29, 36 (NKJV).
We must never forget from whence we came and the Grace He has given us.
Honor God for His Justice as well as His Mercy
The Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness. Woe to those who draw iniquity with cord of vanity, and sin as if with a cart rope. Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness. And let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight! (Those) who justify the wicked for a bribe and take away justice from the righteous man!
Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, And the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness Their blossom will ascend like dust; Because they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 5:16,18-21,23,24).
God is perfect righteousness and perfect justice. When we forget His Holiness and His justice, then we fail to Honor God as we should.
Honor God in our Prayers
And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there forever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually (I King 9:3).
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9). This is more than just a statement; but, rather also a plea. Dear Heavenly Father, hallow your name in my heart and the world. Only you can accomplish this in my heart, my spirit and my life.
The four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:8-11)
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Previous Posts Concerning the Lord’s Prayer
What is the Significance of Having a Heavenly Father?
Do You Really Know God as Father?
How Important is the Lord’s Prayer?
POEMS
An Intimate Prayer with My Heavenly Father
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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