Moses leads the stubborn people of Israel with such tenacity. He enjoys a personal relationship with God like few others. When we look for biblical material on godly leadership, most of us go to the example of Moses. And yet on one occasion he "loses it". In apparent anger and frustration, he fails to honor God in front of the people of Israel. As a result God tells Moses that he will not be allowed to enter the Promised Land: "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites". Numbers 20:12
A few chapters later, Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, acts decisively and God commends him. "He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God". 25:13
Jesus told us to pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed (honored as holy) be your name". We should pray that the honor of God will be represented by the way Christ's followers talk and live. We should pray for those known as believers in government that they will represent Christ faithfully. We should pray for Christians who are often in the media - as athletes, entertainers or whatever. Unlike most of us they have the opportunity to "hallow his name" in front of millions by what they do and say. We should pray for the reputation of our churches in the community - that what we do will represent Christ well so that people think more highly of our God.
As we live each day, may we, like Phinehas, be "zealous for the honor of our God." As Christ's ambassador, His honor should help motivate me to reject temptation to sin and lovingly serve others. We live and pray for the honor, the "hallowing" of God's name.
A few chapters later, Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, acts decisively and God commends him. "He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God". 25:13
Jesus told us to pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed (honored as holy) be your name". We should pray that the honor of God will be represented by the way Christ's followers talk and live. We should pray for those known as believers in government that they will represent Christ faithfully. We should pray for Christians who are often in the media - as athletes, entertainers or whatever. Unlike most of us they have the opportunity to "hallow his name" in front of millions by what they do and say. We should pray for the reputation of our churches in the community - that what we do will represent Christ well so that people think more highly of our God.
As we live each day, may we, like Phinehas, be "zealous for the honor of our God." As Christ's ambassador, His honor should help motivate me to reject temptation to sin and lovingly serve others. We live and pray for the honor, the "hallowing" of God's name.
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