01/08/2020
The first thing we are told to do in prayer is to confirm that God, our Holy Father, is hallowed. It isn’t by accident that Jesus taught us to pray this way, it is an affirmation of our submission to God, and an acknowledgement of His glory. One of the hardest things for us as humans to do is to give up our pride in self, our claim to glory, and to cast our crowns at the feet of anything... even God. Our arrogance is the thread that holds together the veil between ourselves, and God.
“Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Matthew 6:9 ESV
Some of us are so enamored with ourselves, and our successes in life, that we forget that none of this was by our own hand, but given to us by God. We claim the glory for what God has done without opening our eyes to Him. In His humble servitude Jesus never once claimed the glory that was rightly God's. He gave credit for every miracle He performed to God, and He acknowledges that God alone deserves the glory. Listen to this progression in scripture...
Jesus concedes all power to God...
“So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:19 ESV
Jesus acknowledges that all glory is God’s, and that He does not seek it...
“Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge.”
John 8:49-50 ESV
Jesus, in seeing His coming suffering on the cross, asks God to glorify Himself in the hour of His passion...
“"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."”
John 12:27-28 ESV
And in submitting Himself to the cross Jesus asks the Lord to surround Him, and to wrap His all-encompassing glory around Him as they abide in one another once again...
“And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
John 17:5 ESV
So why is it then that so many people mistakenly claim glory for themselves? It is because they exhibit one of these symptoms... they are sick with sin, see only the world, or misunderstand that God allows His rain to fall on the just, and the unjust. As believers we should see His hand at work in us, know where our help comes from, and understand that all glory belongs to God alone.
“so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Matthew 5:45-46 ESV
We see the “tax collectors” around us all the time, and when we don’t witness any negative consequence to their self-glorification it can make us jealous, and want to bask in glory ourselves. However, Jesus tells us that glorifying ourselves means nothing... that there is nothing to be gained by it, and it is only God’s glory that lifts us up... only He can chose to glorify us. As long as we hold the veil of our own selfishness up between ourselves and God we are separated from Him.
“Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, 'He is our God.'”
John 8:54 ESV
All glory belongs to God, and when we usurp His power, and claim His glory, we separate ourselves from Him. In doing this we are attempting to place ourselves as equal to Him, or above Him, when in reality it means nothing, and we are simply stitching up a veil between us. So by our faith we must defeat our own selfish desires, yield all glory to God, and fill our lives with humility as Jesus did. Are we ready to pray as Jesus taught us, and understand why we should say “hallowed be thy name”?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son whose life serves to teach us how to love, obey, and humble ourselves before you. Thank you for the lesson in prayer that He taught us. Help us Lord to understand why that amazing prayer begins with acknowledging you, and giving you all glory through four powerful words “hallowed be thy name”. Holy God we worship you, and prostrate ourselves before you. We cast our crowns at your feet and give you all glory. Holy, Holy, Holy are you who is worthy, and who wraps us in your presence. Praised be your name Father as you allow us to experience a glimpse into the thrill of your glory. All glory is indeed yours and by your grace that flows to us through Jesus you have cut the threads that hold the veil which separates us. Hear our voices as we call out to you in admiration, praise, and worship. Hear our confession, and feel the contrition within us as we ask your forgiveness. Have mercy on us Lord as we cast down our crowns and humble ourselves before you. You are Glorious, and you are our God... now, and forevermore.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
Rich Forbes