His Name, the Sun of Our Lives

UV 1325/10,000 His Name, the Sun of Our Lives

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 1 v 11

The reference to the rising of the sun to its going down is an indication that the greatness of Jehovah would be known through the gospel of Jesus from eastern most place to the western most isle and nation. It is also a promise that the greatnesss and goodness of God will be revealed every day of our lives and all through the day. The mighty sun that sustains life on earth is a symbol and manifestation of God’s greatness and glory. The name of the Lord is the sun of our lives. It gives us warmth and energy. It sheds forth light without getting depleted. The name of the Lord symbolises all that He is, all that He promises and all that He does in our lives. His name is a shorthand for glory and greatness. When we hold His name in awe and respect, we are revering God. As scripture says, “ Our help is also in the name of the God of Jacob.” The Gentiles are the “ new Jews” or we who believe and trust in the Messiah Jesus. His name is above all names. We love and esteem His name above our own names and the names of our near and dear. We esteem it greater than the greatest on earth and the greatest in history. He is the Sun of Righteousness that never sets in history or in the days of our lives. He is always shining forth with His resplendent light. His name sustains us. His name is the secret of our strength and fruitfulness. His name is the source of our power. His name is our shield and fortress. His name is our song and reason for jubilation.

Which name of God is our dearest or most cherished? Our response will show the kind of relationship we have with God. If it is Jehovah El Shaddai- we value His might and power. It implies that our faith began and continues due to a manifestation of His power in our lives. If it is Jehovah Nissi- then we value the victory He gives us in all our struggles. If it is Jehovah Rapha, we hold dearest the healing He gives us. Healing does not just mean the healing of diseases but the unburdening of our souls. If it is Jehovah Jireh, we are intimate with Him as He is our provider and we value His provision. If it is Jehovah Shalom, we treasure the peace and wholeness He brings to us. If it is Jehovah Immanuel, we deem Him greatest as He choses to indwell in us through our faith in His Son Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit. If it is Jehovah Rohi, we depend on Him for guidance, protection and nurturing. Of course at different times of our lives and at different times even of a single day, the greatness of each of these names is manifested.

Our prayers go up to the Lord as incense. In the book of Revelation, it is written that the prayers of the saints or those sanctified by faith in Jesus are collected in vials of different odours. Every believer lives, works and moves in the presence of the Lord. His body is God’s temple where continual worship is offered. All his words and acts are the pure, sweet smelling and acceptable sacrifice to the Lord. The Lord is jealous of our affections and worship but He is not possessive about His greatness. He freely sheds His greatness through our lives.

Prateep V Philip