Dear all,
Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Herewith we are forwarding the writing of Dr. Daniel Sathiaraj entitled “Father, glorify your name”.
Father, glorify your name.
Daniel Sathiaraj
These are Jesus’ words. This prayer shows Jesus’ concern for His Father’s glory. He glorified the Father by dying on the cross for humanity and by completing the work God gave Him to do. Jesus said: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
As a response to Jesus’ prayer above (John 12: 28), the Father replied, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
Jesus left us a model by being concerned about God’s glory. Jesus obeyed God fully. He came to earth to take us to heaven.
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17: 1-5).
Are we concerned about our heavenly Father’s name? Even as a 12-year-old boy, Jesus was concerned about His Father’s house. He sat among the teachers and listened to them and asked them questions. “Why were you searching for me?” he asked his parents. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”(John 4: 34).
Example of Daniel
Daniel was concerned about God’s name. He was a prisoner in Babylon and the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. His wonderful prayer in Daniel 9 shows his concern.
“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary.Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” [vv17-19].
Example of Nehemiah
Through some men who came from Jerusalem and Judah, Nehemiah in a foreign land learnt about those who had returned from the Babylonian exile and about Jerusalem. He came to know that God’s people were in great trouble and disgrace and that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down. In response, Nehemiah wept, mourned, fasted and prayed. He mobilized the people and rebuilt the Jerusalem wall in 52 days.
Example of Paul
Paul was concerned about the glory of God. From the time of his conversion till the end of his life, Paul preached the Kingdom of God in various countries of the world and he established many churches.
Paul faceddaily the pressure of his concern for all the churches [2 Corinthians 11: 28].
He wrote: whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10: 31).
Application
Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory (Psalm 115: 1). What work has God given us? How do we complete that work? In many countries including North Korea and Saudi Arabia, may God’s kingdom come. May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. All people in the world should know that Jesus Christ died for them on the cross and that He is the risen Saviour of the world.
Father, we love you; we worship and adore you; glorify your name in all the earth.
Stand firm in Christ
The Journey Team
thejourneyinchrist 