Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name”.
To hallow the name of the Almighty God is to be drenched in awe and be gripped with reverential fear of God. We will be immersed in hallowing the name of the Lord for hours if we comprehend the power of His name. To hallow His holy name is not a few words of appreciation but a bellowing from the depths of our soul until our cry touches the heart of God. Knowledge will not erupt such an honour to His holy name. Knowledge must become revelation and revelation through a divine encounter.
Gideon had an encounter with the Lord and he experienced Him as the God of Peace – ‘Jehovah Shalom’. Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah Shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites (Judges 6:24). During the time of Judges, Israel had no king and there was political instability, moral decay and religious turmoil. In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted (Judges 21:25). They lost the protection of the Lord because of their disobedience, immorality and religious adultery. During the time of Gideon in 1169 BC, Israel went through severe oppression by the Midianites. The Midianites ruined their crops, stole their livestock and ravaged the land. In the midst of the raging turmoil when repression was rampant Gideon had an encounter with the ‘Lord of Peace’ that transformed a timid weakling into a tenacious warrior.
To hallow His holy name is the pivotal point when our fearful evil forebodings turn into psalms of worship. Revere Him as the God of peace in the midst of your tumultuous uncertainties, increasing bank rates or discouraging doctor’s reports and Jehovah Shalom will flood you with peace and courage. For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river (Isaiah 66:12a).
Jehovah Shalom – ‘The Lord is Peace’:
1. Fear: Fear makes us fumble, fragile and flutter. When we are discombobulated with fear, we need an encounter with the God of Peace. The peace of God will drive away anxiety, fear and stress and flood us with serenity.
2. Foray: The incursion of the enemy imprisoned Gideon in constant dread until he met with the Lord of Peace. An attack, assault or foray can incarcerate us in nervousness but the encounter with the Jehovah Shammah will turn terror into triumph.
3. Future: War, economic instability and political chaos can grip us with fear about the future but revering and hallowing Jehovah Shammah will turn turpitude into a testimony.
Hallow and revere His Holy name and Jehovah Shalom will fill us with peace even in a pandemonium.
Philippines 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Jehovah Shalom, My God of Peace, You are the only source of peace in the world filled with uncertainties, instability and chaos. Fill me with courage and confidence to face my day as I hallow your holy name. Amen.
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