April 28, 2009

• "how wondrous great is thine exalted name"

  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Matthew 6:9.

  Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

  What is man, that you are mindful of him,
  or the son of man, that you care for him?
  7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
  you have crowned him with glory and honor,
  8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.

  Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

  I will tell of your name to my brothers;
  in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.
  

  13 And again,

  I will put my trust in him.

  And again,

  Behold, I and the children God has given me.
  

  14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

  –Hebrews 2:5-18

  Hallow His Name today as you reflect on Christ's condescension and glorification.

  PSALM VIII
  (Isaac Watts)

  Christ's condescension and glorification

  O LORD, our Lord, how wondrous great
  Is thine exalted name!
  The glories of thy heav'nly state
  Let men and babes proclaim.

  When I behold thy works on high,
  The moon that rules the night,
  And stars that well adorn the sky,
  Those moving worlds of light;

  Lord, what is man, or all his race,
  Who dwells so far below,
  That thou shouldst visit him with grace,
  And love his nature so?

  That thine eternal Son should bear
  To take a mortal form;
  Made lower than his angels are,
  To save a dying worm?

  [Yet while he lived on earth unknown,
  And men would not adore,
  Th' obedient seas and fishes own
  His Godhead and his power.

  The waves lay spread beneath his feet;
  And fish, at his command,
  Bring their large shoals to Peter's feet,
  Bring tribute to his hand.

  These lesser glories of the Son
  Shone through the fleshly cloud;
  Now, we behold him on his throne,
  And men confess him God.]

  Let him be crowned with majesty,
  Who bowed his head to death;
  And be his honors sounded high,
  By all things that have breath.

  Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great
  Is thine exalted name!
  The glories of thy heav'nly state
  Let the whole earth proclaim.

  Jesus, our Lord, how wondrous great is Your exalted name! May You sanctify both our lips and our lives to proclaim Your glories.

  Reflect on His condescension and glorification. As He leads you, please bring Your praises before Him now and hallow His exalted name, which is wondrous and great.
  
  

  • 8:29 AM
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