God’s Holy Name
by Margaret Davies
We live in a world where we see more and more this commandment of the Lord being broken. I sometimes wonder if people today even see the ten commandments as being relevant anymore. How often have we heard the name of God and Jesus being spoken in vain.
We only need to walk up the street or turn on the TV to hear these names being used in derogatory and blaspheming ways. People don't seem to even realise that they are using God's name in a blasphemous way. Many have lost the respect and reverent fear of God’s holy name.
Many religious Jews use the Hebrew word Ha Shem (The Name) to ensure that they don't hold the Lord's name in vain, even accidentally. They hold the name of the Lord in high honour, even though they are sometimes misguided in other ways.
We read in Leviticus 24:10-16 how the son of an Israelite woman was stoned to death because of blaspheming the name of the Lord. We praise God that we’ve been released from that punishment because Yeshua took the punishment for our transgressions (sins) on the cross, but this doesn’t give us licence to blaspheme or take God’s name in vain. We are to respect and reverence the Lord's name because we love Him and don’t want to grieve Him.
We also read in Revelation 13 that blasphemy will increase in the last days. We need to be more aware in these days to seek ways to stand for the truth in our situations. It may be gently asking someone whether they realise that they’re taking the Lord's name in vain, or turning off the television or radio, even in the midst of our favourite programme, when we hear the name of God being taken in vain, or blasphemed.
We need to be serious about following our Lord and Saviour, and striving to keep His commandments, and play our part in restoring the honour of His name. A verse from the hymn writer Graham Kendrick sums it up:
‘Restore O Lord the Honour of your name
In works of Sovereign power come shake the earth again,
That men may see and come with reverent fear
To the living God whose kingdom shall outlast the years’.
Prayer: Father help us to recognise when we take Your name in vain, and quickly bring us to repentance. Give us a holy reverence and fear of You, O Lord, so that we’ll honour Your name and Your word. Help us to play our part in restoring the honour of your name in these days. Amen.
Margaret Davies is married to Trevor whom she met and married in Israel where she worked in various ministries for almost 10 years. They joined Ellel Ministries in Scotland in 2002 where they served for almost 13 years, and have just recently left the full time team at Blairmore House. They are presently living in a small village in North Essex, and Margaret enjoys baking, gardening and walking.
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