Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:7.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7.
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Many think the only violation of this third commandment is if someone uses God’s name to curse. But, a much more common violation is using God’s name lightly for humor or to emphasize our own point. The following question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism helps us greatly by not only giving us a few examples of how not to use God’s name, but by also instructing us how to use God’s name.
Question 99. What is required in the third commandment?
Answer. That we, not only by cursing or perjury, but also by rash swearing, must not profane or abuse the name of God; nor by silence or connivance be partakers of these horrible sins in others; and, briefly, that we use the holy name of God no otherwise than with fear and reverence; so that he may be rightly confessed and worshipped by us, and be glorified in all our words and works. Heidelberg Catechism.
Psalm 86:11
Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.
Psalm 86:12
I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And will glorify Your name forever.
Psalm 61:5
For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.
Psalm 69:30
I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Isaiah 25:1
O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
Jeremiah 33:9
It will be to Me a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for them, and they will fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace that I make for it.’
Ezekiel 36:23
I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
Daniel 2:20
Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him.
Joel 2:26
“You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame.
Micah 5:4
And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth.
John 20:31
but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
Hebrews 6:10
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.
1 John 5:13
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Malachi 4:2
“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.
Revelation 15:4
“Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For all the nations will come and worship before You, For Your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 