September 7 - LD 36, Day 5: Mindless Worship

Matthew 15:8: “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”

It isn't just coarse profanity that grievously violates this third commandment, but also the sinful silence that fails to give to God the glory that is His due. Positively, we are called to use God's name only with fear and reverence. It is only by taking His name upon our lips in that way that we rightly confess Him and worship Him, and that He is glorified in our words and works.

That means that whenever we use the name of God without thought or without due consideration and reverence, we violate the third commandment. Whenever we use God's name without gratitude of heart for Who He is and what He has done, we profane His name. That is a piercing thought. Then we might well ask the question: Who has been more guilty of profaning the name of God — the man who sits in the tavern, making a ruckus with his friends, or we who take that name so often upon our lips in the worship service?

What do we do to God's name, when, after arguing and bickering at home, we rush off to church — not having prepared at all for worship — not having prayed for God's blessing, and we sing, "O Lord of Hosts, how lovely Thy tabernacles are...My soul is longing, fainting, Thy sacred courts to see; My heart and flesh are crying, O living God, for Thee"? Aren't we the guilty ones, who take His name repeatedly upon our lips without thought, who let our minds wander at His Word? Are not we the guilty ones, who voice our prayers without thought to Him, Whose majesty causes the angels to hide their faces before Him?

Is our talk, as those who represent God’s name, directed to the advancement of His glory? The name of God is profaned, when it is used without due consideration and reverence, or when it is misrepresented by us who bear His name, being known as Christians. How we need a Savior! How blessed are we when, as members of Christ by faith, we may worship God in joyful thoughtfulness!