Day 16: Praises to Your Name -Josh Baldwin

Praises to Your Name [Amazon Music Link]

What Does "Praises to Your Name" Actually Mean?

A long time ago, when a king would send a messenger, they would come "in the King's name." This means the messenger should be given the respect and honor that the King deserves even thought they are not the King themselves. In this way, Paul explains in Colossians 1:

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

and later in Colossians 3:17

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The fact that you, who are not Jesus can do anything "in the Name of Jesus" is an amazing gift. As a Christian, you are a messenger just like the King's messenger I mentioned. This is why "the Name" is so important and "worthy to be praised." We have no authority in ourselves alone, but when we come "in the Name of Jesus" there is authority. Our own name is not to be praised. His Name is to be praised.

Now, here's the thing, any messenger can misuse "the Name." The 10 Commandments states, do not take the Lord's Name in vain. Most of us think that this is about swearing but really read that again. It means, if you are going to take the Lord's Name as a messenger sent from the King then you better be lined up with His purposes and His Plan and not be taking it in vain. Kings don't take kindly to misrepresenting their wishes.

So, we sing praises to His Name, because the Name of the Lord is to be respected and honored with reverence.

What Does "Be Lifted Up" Actually Mean?

The phrase "be lifted up" can bring some confusion because there are many possible meanings. Jesus was lifted up onto the cross, lifted up from the grave, and lifted up when He ascended into Heaven which were the most important events in history. I think a deep way to think about this in the song is through the lens of Jesus' words in John 3:14-15 where He said,

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.

You see, by faith, Moses was exalting God by lifting up the snake in the wilderness. So, I think it is good and right to think of the lifting up in this song as an expression of what happened on the cross but as I sing this song, I tend to think of being lifted up in the usual meaning, which is to be exalted, like you might hoist a winner onto your shoulders and parade around the room with them lifted up. So, we lift up the Name of Jesus to celebrate His Name being higher than any other name.

Lyrics

I sing praises to Your name
Praises to Your name
The name thats so much
higher than all names

All honor to Your name
All honor to Your name
The name thats so much
greater than all names

Be lifted up
Be lifted higher
Be lifted up, Be lifted higher

Your name is life
Your name is hope inside me
Hope inside me

Your name is love
A love that always finds me
Always finds me

Abundant Life Fellowship Version

Josh Baldwin Version

Final Thoughts

So, we sing praises to His name because He has the authority on Heaven and Earth and has chosen us as messengers to bear His Name to the world and we lift Him up as one on our shoulders parading around the room exalting His accomplishments, not our own. This is about as far from selfishness as you can get and it makes for a good worship song. That's your bucket full of Grace for today. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Comments

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