Lord God, bless the preaching and hearing of Your words today, that we might receive this ministry of Your Holy Spirit, and once again be brought from death to life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A boy sits beside a large pond, with a handful of coins. He skim a coins across the water. One, two, three, sometimes four jumps, and then it sinks. He does it with another, and then another. A woman comes along, sees the coins, and says, 'What on earth are you doing?! How can you throw money away like that?' 'It doesnt matter - theyre only old bits of metal. They're not worth anything,' he answers. 'Well, come with me, and we'll see about that.' The boy shrugs, and gets up, flicking one more across the water. They walk to an antique shop nearby, where the owner looks carefully at the remaining coins. He looks up excitedly, and says, 'Where did you get these? They are rare coins from the sixteenth century - each one worth a thousand dollars!' The boy faints on the spot!
A fictitious story. But it shows how mistaken one can be. We might assume something has no value. But then it turns out to be very valuable indeed!
The second command protects Gods name.
Many people think it isnt worth much. They use the name of God to emphasise a point or to express frustration, or simply as a careless part of conversation. Are they thinking about what they are doing? They are throwing away something far more precious than they realise - as surely as the boy was throwing away a thousand-dollar coin with every careless flick into the pond.
Do we care about God's Name? Do we use it carelessly?
He has given us His name for us to use. God gives us His name so that we can know who we are talking to when we pray. He gives us His name so we can know whom to thank and praise for the good things in our lives and in the world. He gives us His name so we can call to him for help.
His name gives us ACCESS to Him.
He tells us: ask, and you will receive. Knock on his door, and He will open to you. Bring your burdens to Him - because He cares for you.
'Do not use my name carelessly' says the LORD. 'I am not going to let anyone off, who uses my name in an empty way.'
Why so serious?
Well, how do you like people to use your name?How would you feel if your name was used as a swear word? Imagine it. What if the Queen's name was used as a swear word? What if your mother's, or father's; your brother's, or your child's name was given no respect?
How would we be treated if we rejected a personal invitation to dine with the Prime minister or the queen, or the president of the US? How would they react to our rejection? At the very least, we could be sure that we would NOT get another invitation.
God offers us Himself in this second command. He invites to dine with him. To spend time with him, to talk to him; to tell him our thoughts. To share with Him what we appreciate about the world hes placed us in. he wants us to open our hearts, and share our burdens with him. Its a personal invitation - but its even stronger than that. He wants to be with us, and to hear our voices speaking to Him so much, that He commands it. He forbids any careless or thoughtless use of His name.
He commands us to speak to Him with reverence, but also with confidence . He gives Himself to us as our eternal friend.
How dare we spurn this gift?! How wicked, to tread the Name of our divine Friend underfoot! Have we done this? Have we used Gods name carelessly?Have we thought nothing of other people carelessly using the name of our loving Lord and Saviour? ...If we have misused the gift, let us feel the grief. Let us examine ourselves, and confess our sins to the Lord.
Because he will listen to us. The queen, or the US president may not give us another chance, but the Lord calls us to come to Him once again. And again. And again.
He will not let anyone get off scot-free, who abuses His name. He has not let anyone off: On the cross, God has punished every misuse of His name. Every carelessness and neglect . Every refusal to talk to Him in prayer...
All this he has suffered. - He lets nothing go unpunished. If ever we have been careless with Gods Name, let us kneel down at Jesus cross, and there shut our mouths.
And then, perhaps, let us even weep in repentance. And reverently pray to our God, and ask Him to forgive us.
Then let us give him heartfelt thanks, for His gracious invitation, once again, for us to take His Name on our lips, to pray, praise, and give thanks to Him!
How precious a gift He gives - the gift of free access to him in prayer!
Lord, Your Name we cherish, for by it we draw near to You. Let us use Your name with joy and deep respect. Help us, Lord! Place words in our mouths, and in our hearts, -words to express our thoughts and feelings, as we seek to pray to You. Let Your forgiveness give us peace, and give rise to a constant flowing spring of prayer and the expressions of love in our hearts, and from our lips. In Jesuss Name we pray, Amen.
First command (God) | Second command (God's Name) | Third command-a (Sabbath, part 1) | Third command-b (Sabbath, part 2) | Fourth command (authority) | Fifth command (Life) | Sixth command (sexuality) | Seventh command (property)| Eighth command (reputation) | Ninth command (wanting things)| Tenth command (wanting people)| command against idolatry| 'What does God say of all these commands?'