Daily Devotions
Honoring God's Name
Title: Honoring God's Name
Reading for September 5: Ezekiel 36-38
"My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forever."
Ezekiel 37:27-28
Why was God's name being profaned among the nations? It was because God's people had dishonored God through their evil deeds (Ezek 36:16-21). The nations could not see God, but they could see his people. The people were to be a reflection of God's glory, but they took God's glorious name and trashed it because of their wickedness.
How would God vindicate his name? It would be by dwelling among his people once again, placing his sanctuary in the midst of them. But what would have to happen for God's presence to again dwell among them? We're told in verse 25: "They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes."
So, ask yourself this question: Am I honoring or dishonoring God's name through my behavior? Is God able to tabernacle and find his dwelling in my heart? Have I cleansed myself from all filthiness and idolatry so that God's presence can abide? Or is my life so polluted by the world that all I do is drag God's holy name through the mud by claiming to be his child?
Father, cleanse us from all pollutions of the flesh and of the mind so that you might truly be seen in us. May your name be glorified in our lives!
