“Our Father in heaven, Holy is your name.”
“Holiness” is perhaps one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible. We think of it in terms of majesty and glory, or perhaps in terms of fearful judgment. There are elements of glory and majesty in the word. But the concept of holiness is much more basic than that. It means to be set apart for a particular use. It means to be totally unlike anything else, set apart for a special private use.
In this sense, our toothbrush is holy. It is for no one else’s use. Our wives and husbands are separated to us, for no one else but us.
God is not like anything else in the universe. He is “wholly other.” He is not subject to the laws of nature, of any human agency. Nothing is like Him—next to Him is no one.
God says of us that we are “holy” to Him. God has given us a unique position in the universe as well, as His favored children. We are not unique in ourselves. We are dust of the earth, that is all. But when God favors us, then we take on some of His holiness. And become special above everything else.
Once a relative of mine was looking for a job. I spoke to a friend who was friends with the owner of the local utility company. He spoke to the owner, and passed the word that if my relative wanted a job, he should fill out an application, then put on it “recommended by_____” and put the owner’s name. Do you think that resume would command attention? Of course it would. God has done something different. He has said for us to report that our prayers were prayed under the recommendation of the Son of God. God wants us to use that unique position have with Him to make a difference in this world.
Today, as you pray, remember the power of God. Remember also the special position you have with God when we pray “in Jesus’ Name.”
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