Today’s reading: Psalm 99, 2 Peter 3:13

As this year began our Abba prompted my husband to start our family prayer time with “The Lord’s Prayer”, emphasizing the first verses:

‘Our Father, who is in heaven, ^©Hallowed be Your name. ¹⁰ ‘^[dYour kingdom come, Your ^[ewill be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:9-10)

In the Bible footnotes I found that:

c) Hallowed, means = set apart, keep and treat as holy, revere.

d) A plea for God’s kingdom to be inaugurated on earth.

d) Including what God wishes to be done by the individual believer—His commands and precepts.

The Lord’s Prayer is one that has been taught and memorized all over the world but yet some many take for granted the special and powerful meaning of its words!

The psalmist begins by declaring:  “The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble [with submissive wonder]! (99:1)

Yes, we His people must acknowledge that He does reign over all He has granted us: our lives, our families, jobs, and every single event. Nothing occurs apart from His Will and Divine Purpose!  We must give it all back to Him, yield to Him: submit ourselves to Him in wholly dependence! But yet sometimes we do not fully want to recognize this, for we hold tightly to so many things!

We should ALL “tremble” (be shaken, disturbed, moved), at this announcement. That is: ALL the world is to know of Him and most important: KNOW HIM! But sadly, most of the times we do tremble when the circumstances become painful and or difficult!

Meaning of Holy: Hebrew qa-dosh; Greek Ha-gi-os.

“The primary sense of the Hebrew word has to do with being separated from what is common and ordinary. The Lord is Holy because He is extraordinary, mysterious…”

(iWorship Bible p.920)

“Holiness is the harmony of all the virtues. The Lord has not one glorious attribute alone, or in excess, but all glories are in him as a whole; this is the crown of his honour and the honour of his crown. His power is not his choicest jewel, nor his sovereignty, but his holiness.” (Spurgeon)

 “’Holy’ is a word to emphasize the distance between God and man.” He is distinctly different from His creation. God is transcendently different. His difference cuts across all comparisons. “ (Kidner)

Through our faith in Jesus Christ who gave His life in willing Sacrifice for our redemption were blessed with:

¹² But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— ¹³ who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].” (John 1:12-13)

Jesus through His Saving Grace called us to a holy life, to separate ourselves from the world’s standards and wholly surrender our wills, lives and ALL to Him, because He is Worthy!

 ⁹ for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago], (2 Timothy 1:9)

Not only that but we have also received this honor:

 ⁵ You [believers], like living stones, are ^[b]being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ”… “9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2: 5-10)

Yes, you and I are part of His royal priesthood, just like:

“Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those who called on His name; they called upon the Lord and He answered them.” (99:6)

They served Him with awe and reverence. They were wholly dependent and obedient to their God, keeping His testimonies and the ordinances that He gave them! They were confident that He did not only listen to their prayers, but He answered them in such majestic way! And now we also have this same privilege! When they failed, they also got to experience the God of Forgiveness and Grace, just as we do! (99:7)

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father it amazes me that You, the Creator and Kingof heaven and earth and all that is come to existence, would love us so much as to give the life of your Precious Son in sacrifice for the saving of our lives! May we lift up holy hands (1 Tim 2:8) in prayer and praise as we approach your throne of grace “so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].” (Heb. 4:16) May we never take for granted the privilege of your Holy Spirit dwelling in us! We pray that our loved ones will one day answer your loving call to open the doors of their hearts (Rev. 3:20-21), and we all be one in You and exalt You and worship You as our Holy and Sovereign God! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen!

Mari.