“When the house of Israel came to the nations where they went, they profaned my holy name because it was said about them, ‘These are the people of Yahweh, yet they had to leave His land in exile.’ Then I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they went. Therefore, say to the house of Israel, this is what the Lord God says: It is not for your sake that I will act, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations where you went. I will honor the holiness of My great name, which has been profaned among the nations – the name you have profaned among them. The nations will know that I am Yahweh” – the declaration of the Lord – “when I demonstrate My holiness through you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:20-27
My words…
Praise
Oh Lord, Your name is precious, pure, and perfect, like fine crystal. Father, Savior, Comforter, King! Your words and Your works proclaim the holiness of Your great name. You act according to Your righteousness and Your will, which are founded in love. You love Your creation, the whole of it, and the venerable name of Yahweh is magnified by all those who love You back. I raise my voice, my hands, my life in worship to the name above all other names.
Prayer for me
I need to be reminded that my life as a follower of You is a direct reflection of Your name, Your reputation. Like the moon reflects the light of the sun, so my life reflects You. And it should matter to me, really matter to me, what other people think of You through my life.
Forgive me
Sometimes, I drop the crystal, Lord, and Your name shatters on the cement. Your reputation suffers because of my actions, or inaction. So forgive my sinful treatment of Your name.
Prayer for others
I pray for those who treat Your name with contempt. They view Your reputation like that of a silent, uncaring, vindictive god. “Look at all of the suffering in the world. What kind of god would let that happen?” they say. They don’t know You. They don’t want to know You. Because knowing You means change. So I pray that You will change them, Lord! Soften their hearts to accept Your Comforter. Then they will hold Your precious name in their hands.
More praise
Your words through Your prophet, Ezekiel, written so long ago, were written to me, weren’t they? For I once profaned Your name, yet You cleansed me with water and gave me a new heart, a heart where You placed Your Spirit. I thank You and exalt You for being the God whose name I am humbled and honored to hold.
