That They May Know

“That [men] may know that thou, whose name alone [is] JEHOVAH, [art] the most high over all the earth.” (Ps 83:18 AV)

The name JEHOVAH only appears four times in the word of God.  It is so sacred that the Jewish people refuse to use it.  God’s word differentiates the name JEHOVAH from all other names by using the name LORD.  When the reader reads the name LORD, in all capital letters, it means the same as JEHOVAH.  Both mean ‘the existing one’.  The psalmist is praying for the coming of the LORD and His justice inflicted upon the enemies of God.  He is not seeking justice merely for fairness’ sake.  Rather, he is seeking the righteous judgment of God so that all of mankind might know that the Lord JEHOVAH rules creation.  That is the point of it all, isn’t it?  If we are looking for the purest motive for praying that the LORD would return, this is it!  May Jesus come back and establish once and for all that He alone reigns over all of creation!

Reaction to authority varies with maturity.  The more mature we are, the more we welcome authority.  When I was in grade school, we had a group of boys that were out of control.  To say they were wild would be an understatement.  Every chance they got, they would cause mischief.  Or worse.  There were times when their antics directly affected me.  There was the time one of them tried to pick a fight with me.  There were other times when I was abused on the playground.  There were times when they would surround me in class and pick at me without the teacher noticing.  But there were also times when they were acting out, and it never involved any assault on me.  Sometimes it was in the classroom.  Sometimes it was on the playground or in the lunchroom.  Most of the time it was on the school bus ride home.  Regardless of how it affected me, when the teacher arrived, I was glad.  I was elated.  The boys were put in subjection, there was order and disciple, and the class could go forward with learning.  Just having an authority figure in the room meant all the difference.

When JEHOVAH reigns it will be a bit different.  We didn’t worship our teachers.  We don’t worship our leaders or law enforcement.  They are offices given by God by which society can function.  When Jesus returns, all will worship Him as He is.  He is the Creator God!  Order and discipline will be restored.  But so too will respect and humility.  Society will benefit from the rod of iron.  But more importantly, mankind will be brought to the correct condition before their Creator and not until Gog and Magog will they attempt to rise up against Him.  When my father was recognized as the leader of the Scouts or the classroom, it made his children proud!  Not in a bad sort of way.  Rather, we were tickled that my father received the respect due his position.  We took offense when he was maligned or mocked.  The same is true of the child of God.  We take offense when JEHOVAH is a curse word.  We are insulted when the LORD God is a joke on some late-night comedy show.  We are hurt when those who hate Him use Him as a punching bag.  We look forward to the day when all of mankind acknowledges that He alone is God.  He alone is the Creator.  He alone is the LORD.  He alone deserves all the worship due His name!  Come, LORD Jesus, come!