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40 HOLY DAYS
 
CONSUMMATION
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Week Four
Holy Name

Day 26

Day Twenty-Six Devotions:
MORNING MEDITATION
AFTERNOON DEVOTION
EVENING PRAYER
MORNING MEDITATION

 

Morning Meditation: "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of My great name..."- Ezekiel 36:22, 23a

 

God is Holy. Holy is who He is. Holy is His name, because His nature and character are holy. He is absolute moral perfection. He cannot even look upon what is unholy (Habakkuk 1:13); therefore to approach holy God requires that one be holy. "...therefore be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:45b). To approach holy God in a manner that is unworthy of His holiness is to risk death. Because God is holy, all that He has created (and He has created all things!) must respond affirmatively to Him. To reject a word or command of God, in any way, is an act of rebellion against the Holy One who spoke the perfect command that was given for the very purpose of being humbly received and obeyed. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through Him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Corinthians 1:20).

 

Aaron's sons learned the hard way that God's holiness was not to be tampered with. "Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to His command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD" (Leviticus 10:1-2). It is particularly important that the people God has chosen to be the dwelling place for His holy name be holy in every way. "Among those who approach Me I will show Myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored" (v.3). Moses would also be the recipient of God's judgment when he, himself, disobeyed God's holy command. "Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff...But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them" (Numbers 20:11a, 12). Moses' disobedience is a lesson for us all, that when God gives His Word, His Word is enough. The moral of this story is: Take God at His Word (and that means taking all of it and not picking it a part)! "And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book" (Revelation 22:19). To take bits and pieces of God's Holy Word, to separate and sift it, reject, debate or edit it down - is foolish, for it is an attempt to take apart Holy God Himself - who is complete and whole and perfectly One - it cannot be done! So take warning from the lives of Nadab and Abihu - if you seek to alter God's Word, you will be the one taken out! Forgive us Holy Father, for picking and choosing the parts of Your Word that we want to eat or share (some of Your Word can be a tough pill to swallow), but You also say that, "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD" (Deuteronomy 8:3b), so help us obey every word You have given, for they are our life (v. 32:47)!

 

"If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law,

which are written in this book,

and do not revere this glorious and awesome name -

the LORD your God -

the LORD will send fearful plagues on you

and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters,

and severe and lingering illnesses...until you are destroyed."

(Deuteronomy 28:58-59, 61b)

 

 

AFTERNOON DEVOTION

 

Afternoon Devotion: "My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is His name."- Luke 1:46-49

 

When the angel Gabriel came to bring Mary a word from the Lord, her response was quite opposite from those we read about in our morning devotion. Even though she didn't fully understand what was being asked of her, or know completely what she would have to endure (throughout her whole life) because of her obedience, her reply was one of humility and trust in holy God. "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered, "May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). Her response to God was one of faith. And God entrusted her to be His chosen vessel to carry His holy presence into the world. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2).

 

God gives His holy name to those who exhibit His same "attitude of self-sacrificing humility." He will not dwell with the arrogant and prideful. "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5b). He entrusts Himself only to those who are willing and humble enough to receive whatever He places in their hands. "the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). He is looking for vessels who are willing to take a backseat to His glory (and endure all the trials and persecution that come from bearing His name), so He can display Himself in their lives. "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30). When we come to Christ in humble submission to His holy Word, our circumstances may at times be challenging and difficult, but we will find peace and rest for our souls. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). The greatest weight that humanity carries is the question of eternity. For those who trust in the promise of God's holy Word, the burden of that weight is immediately lifted, and everything else that is placed in our hands becomes a much lighter load because we are now resting in the hands of a perfect and holy God who does all for our good and the glory of His holy name. "The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy. They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever - holy and awesome is His name" (Psalm 111:7-9). Thank you, Lord, for entrusting me with Your holy name, help me receive everything You call me to with a humble response of faith and trust. Forgive me for questioning You in any way, because Your purpose is to perfect Yourself in me. Fill me with more of You today so others see less and less of me, I pray.

 

"For this is what the high and lofty One says -

He who lives forever, whose name is holy:

"I live in a high and holy place,

but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit

to revive the spirit of the lowly

and to revive the heart of the contrite."

(Isaiah 57:15)

 

EVENING PRAYER
 
Evening Prayer of Repentance:  "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11

 

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name,

"Great and marvelous are Your deeds,

Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are Your ways,

King of the ages.

Who will not fear You, O Lord,

and bring glory to Your name?

For You alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before You,

for Your righteous acts have been revealed."

We glory in You Holy Name,

and look to Your strength

and seek Your face always.

May we remember Your word is

always faithful and true;

and the only harm that can come to us

is if we disobey Your holy Word.

May the humility in which we live our lives,

attract others to the beauty of Your holy name.

Forgive us for any arrogance or pride we have

that dishonors the holy name You have given us

and brings discipline rather than blessing to our lives.

Let the perfection of Jesus Christ be

demonstrated daily in our lives

to the glory of Your name.

Great is the LORD in Zion;

He is exalted over all the nations.

Let them praise Your great and awesome name -

He is holy."

In the mighty and majestic Name, of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

(1 Chronicles 16:10-12; Psalm 99:2-3; Matthew 6:9; Revelation 15:3, 4)

 

 
   

 

Devotional provided by Trumpet and Torch Ministries

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Coming Soon!
October 4th, 2014 - The Great Day of Intercession - make plans now for your congregation to unite at the end of our journey in one day of corporate prayer and fasting to intercede for our nation on the Day of Atonement.

October 5th, 2014 - Day 40 The Final Feast - A day of celebration for the Bride of Christ as we rebuild the prayer altar to become a house of prayer for all nations in a day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem and in prayer for pastors across the nation who will be speaking the Truth in love as they deliver God's Word on Marriage on Pulpit Freedom Sunday.
 
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