As I prepared to write this devotional, I was reminded of just how quickly I brush past these verses in my day-to-day life. When I find myself reading and praying through Matthew 9 with less attention than it deserves, it is usually a reminder that I need to return to the basics and the beauty of the Gospel. As Jesus instructs us to pray these words in Matthew 9, we could spend all day talking about the first two words alone… “Our Father”.
Jesus could have instructed us to address God by any other name. Instead, He instructs us to approach God as Father, a word that reflects a deep, personal relationship. This relationship we now have with God Almighty is only possible because of Jesus’ redeeming work on the cross.
God’s heart has always been to rescue. He has always desired that we be in right standing with Him. But… Why do we need to be in right standing with God to have a relationship with Him?… Because He is holy. To “hallow” something quite literally means to make it holy or to set it apart.
When I put the nature of God into perspective, it is almost unfathomable. He is untouchable in holiness, yet I can approach Him as Father. I can draw near to Him because of something He did for me. When I question if I can draw near to God, I reflect on the proof of His love for me.
If you are by chance questioning this truth, I want to share a quote from one of my favorite Bible teachers. Jackie Hill Perry puts it this way… “If God is holy, then He can’t sin. If God can’t sin, then He can’t sin against me. If He can’t sin against me, shouldn’t that make Him the most trustworthy being there is?”
Father, we call on your holy name. We acknowledge that you are the most trustworthy being to exist. We choose to draw near to you today because you chose to pave the way. Help us to receive what you have provided; help us draw near.