The Name of the Lord

September 30

(Psalm 118:26-29 NIV) “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless you. {27} The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. {28} You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. {29} Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

(Exodus 20:7 NIV) “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.”

After God delivered His people from bondage in Egypt, He gave them vital instructions through the Ten Commandments. The Second Commandment cautioned them to be careful when using His name. The name of the Lord is holy and was not to be attached to the trivial, the profane, or the false. Scripture mentions people who “ministered” in the name of the Lord, as well as those who proclaimed, blessed, swore, built, confronted, cursed, prophesied, trusted, spoke, walked, and anointed in the name of the Lord. Today we are justified and saved in the name of the Lord. Christ has made His light to shine upon us and has given us His name. The name of the Lord has power. Go out in His name. Love in His name. Pray in His name. Glorify His name. We who have been blessed by the name of the Lord are called to be wise and discerning in how we use it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day