Why Reverence Matters
Speaking God’s Name: Why Reverence Matters
In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches the apostles how to pray.
As the perfect example, He gave them The Lord’s Prayer which was a guide for them to follow, not a decree.
The first verse is, “Our Father, who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name . . . “1
Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Hallowed” as meaning “Holy, consecrated, sacred, revered.”2
As Jesus taught this model of a prayer to His disciples, don’t miss His use of the word, “Hallowed”.
God is holy and should be revered above all other names.
Divine Respect: Why Reverence Matters
There are several reverential names and descriptions for God located in the Bible, including:
El SHADDAI which means “Almighty God.”
EL-OLAM translates to “Everlasting God”
YAHWEH-JIREH illuminates the promise that “The Lord Will Provide”
Devout followers in early Biblical history referred to the Lord as “Adonai” since YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH were names thought to be too sacred “by the Jews to be spoken aloud by sinful men.”3
The sacred names for God are more than just words or even titles.
The names of God express our reverence and devotion, a reminder that He is the author of all creation.
The key point in all of this is that whether we use His actual Hebrew name, or refer to Him as God, or Lord, or Lord God, we are to always show reverence to Him and His name. –gotquestions.org.4
We should never take His name lightly in our prayers.
A Powerful New Song About Why Reverence Matters
Recently, I heard a powerful song that beautifully revers the names of God.
The artist is Skye Reedy, a talented songwriter, vocalist, and worship leader based out of Nashville.
Christian vocalist Skye Reedy
Just over a week ago, she released two new songs, including this one called, “The Names of God.”
I hope you enjoy.
Amen!
May we always approach God in our prayers with humility and awe, acknowledging both His Holiness and Sovereignty in all that we do.
# # #
1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
2 “Hallowed”. (n.d.). Retrieved from Merriam-Webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hallowed
3 Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? n.d., para. 5. Web. Accessed April19, 2024. Names of God
5 Skye Reedy photo, courtesy of Skye Reedy Facebook post, 27 October, 2020. Accessed October 19, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=631710731809239&set=pb.100049109538982.-2207520000&type=3</span
