MEDITATIONS FROM THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."
Exodus 20:7
Many consider it a light thing to misuse God's name in their language and speech. They curse, swear, lie, and deceive by it. Some use God's name or His Word, the Bible, to support their false beliefs and teachings. All too seldom is God's name used rightly to pray to Him, praise Him, and give Him thanks! God says that He "will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."
Though this commandment condemns us all for our misuse of God's name and our neglect to use it rightly, Jesus Christ, on the tree of the cross, bore the full punishment for all our sins. Forgiveness and help to use God's name rightly are ours through faith in His name.
O LORD God, forgive us for taking Your holy name in vain, and for neglecting to use it rightly. Graciously help us to hallow Your name among us and glorify You. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ and His innocent sufferings and death upon the cross to redeem us. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1994 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
The Still Small Voice