May 5 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 6:1-9:

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Devotional

The name of God stands for his person — for what He is. And what or who God is, is revealed in his Word. Here we learn of his divine qualities and perfections. God's excellencies also shine forth in his works. His power, wisdom, goodness, justice mercy and truth are all made manifest. His name is very great. His name is above every name. To him belongs all honor and praise and glory.

His name cannot be hid. It is made known in all the earth. Solomon says, "Thy name is as ointment poured forth." As the sweet smell of poured-out ointment fills all the rooms, so the glory of the name of the Lord fills the earth. The psalmist ex­claims, "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"

Christ teaches us to pray that God's name be hallowed. We can add nothing to that name as such. We cannot make it greater, or holier, or more glorious. But we must pray that we may "rightly know" him, acknowledge him in his greatness and praise him in our thoughts, words and deeds. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run­neth into it; and is safe." "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." What a precious promise for every storm-tossed soul!

Prayer

Our Father, Thou art great and greatly to be praised in the beauty of holiness. Grant us first rightly to know Thee, and to hallow, magnify and praise Thee in all thy works, in which Thy power, goodness, justice, mercy and truth shine forth; and further, that we so order our whole life, our thoughts, words and deeds, that Thy name may not be blasphemed, but honored and praised on our account. Amen.

---

Scripture in Devotional: Song 1:3; Ps. 8:1; Matt. 5:16; Prov. 18:10; Rom. 10:13.

Click here for background on Light and Comfort and the author.