March 1                  Arrows of the Almighty

 

Hallowed Be Thy Name!

"I am not worthy; I cannot answer you anything, so I will put my hand over my mouth." (Job 40:4)

The request for permission to enter into God's presence is "Hallowed be your name." (Mt. 7:9)

Max Lucado reminds us in his book "The Great House" that this phrase is a petition, not a proclamation, a request rather than an announcement.  We come before our God and beseech, "Be hallowed, Lord."  Do whatever it takes to be holy in my life.  Take your rightful place on the throne.  Exalt yourself.  Magnify yourself.  Glorify yourself.  You be Lord, and I'll be quiet!

The word hallowed comes from the word holy which means "to separate."  The ancestry of the term can be traced back to an ancient word which means "to cut."  To be holy, then, is to be a cut above the norm, superior, extraordinary.  Remember that God's dwelling place is high and lifted up.  The Holy One dwells on a different level from the rest of us.  What frightens us does not frighten him.  What troubles us does not trouble him.

Personally I am more a land lover than a sailor, but I've puttered around in a bass boat enough to know that even in a small boat on a small lake a storm can cause lots of trouble.  You don't head for another boat or stare at the waves; you head for the closest land.  You set your sights on an object unaffected by the wind-a light on the shore-and go straight toward it.  The light is unaffected by the storm.

By seeking the Lord God you set your sights on one "a cut above" any storm life may bring.  He is above but very near and friendly to those who look for him.  Like Job, you find peace in the pain.  Like Job, you cover your mouth and sit still.  

God says in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God."  This directive contains a command with a promise.

The command: -- Be still.  Cover your mouth and listen. 
The promise: -- You will know "that I am God."

"Hallowed Be Your Name!"  I am listening and quiet.  "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (Is. 30:15)

Linger in the quiet place.  If you don't have one, find one, in a local chapel near by.  Or set aside a place in your home.  Suzanna Wesley, mother of 18 children, John Wesley being the 11th, would pull her apron over her head as she sat in her rocking chair and all the children knew that was the time to leave her alone.  In the midst of your daily storms, make it a point to be still and set your sights on him.  Let God be God.  Let him bathe you in his glory so that both your breath and your troubles are sucked from your soul.  Be still.  Be quiet.  Be open and willing.  Listen!