Effie Darlene Barba

When we look around us at all the evil, the bitterness, anger, and hatred, we plead “thy kingdom come!” (Matthew 6:10).  We look within our own hearts, longing to know the transformation is complete, loathing our own failures.  So, how are we to live in joyful expectation of God’s Kingdom?  Is it possible to know the righteousness, peace, and joy of God’s Kingdom here and now? For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).  However, we live in a world so filled with concerns, work, finances, relationships, and obligations.  Furthermore, we live in an earthly body so filled with desires for pride, self-exaltation; wrought with frailties.  Therefore, how can we live a life filled with joyful expectation of God’s Kingdom; while facing so many obstacles without and within?

Although, we may fully understand that Christ has won the victory once and for all against sin, death, and destruction.  Yet, anyone who has lived the Christian life for any length of time knows all too well the moments of our own failure to love as we should, forgive others, or even trust God.  Longing for that day, we cry out as Paul did. “Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  (Romans 8: 21-23).

God’s Kingdom

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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

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As Jesus began teaching His disciples how to pray, He instructed them to pray in this manner: Our Father, which art in heaven (Matthew 6:11).  For all those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, God is our Father.  But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name (John 1:12).  As Heavenly Father, He showers us with His love, His protection, and His provision.  His guiding hand is there to lead us ever closer to Him.  Therefore, as His Children, we have an intimate relationship with God.  Yet, as we recognize His closeness, we also need to consider His power and His might as our heavenly Father.

Our earthly Fathers, even the best, are limited at times.  They may not always understand the secrets of our heart.  Sometimes, they may get it wrong when they strive to guide us; because, they may misjudge the motives of our heart.  Although, they might wish to give us the world; they are limited in their power to do so.

But that is not the case with our heavenly Father.  When we pray, we need to remember this.  Although God is so very near, He is also the Sovereign Creator and King of all. Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshipeth thee (Nehemiah 9:6). Know therefore this day, and consider it in thing heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else (Deuteronomy 4:39). Our Father is all powerful; yet, loves us perfectly.

A Heavenly Father

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Jesus began the Lord’s prayer with “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9).  Certainly, He had the right to begin with “My Father”.  Afterall, He is God’s only begotten Son. (John 3:16, John 1:18, I John 4:9).  He has every right to call Him Father.  But, Jesus began the prayer with “Our Father”.  Do you really know God as Father?  Some would try to say that we are all God’s Children.  Certainly, we were all created in God’s image; however, sin entered the world and separated us from an intimate relationship with our creator.  So, how can we come to really know God as our Father?  Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).  Only through accepting Jesus Christ through faith, can we know God as Father.

Yet, what a wondrous, miraculous privilege it is to really know God as Father!  Through the redemptive work of Christ, we are adopted into His family as “heirs, joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:14-16). But as many as received Him (Jesus Christ), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

Knowing God as Father

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