The Doxology of The Lord’s Prayer – Sunday Thought For The Day

How often do we read the bible and not really meditate upon the words we are reading?  How often do we read the bible like we were reading a book, instead of absorbing it as the Word of God?  This thought occurred to me once again as I was reading The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV).

I started to focus upon the doxology of The Lord’s Prayer in the 13th verse: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen.” (KJV)  Let’s look at it together.

Thine is the kingdom – That is, thine is the reign or dominion. Thou hast control over all these things, and canst so order them as to answer these petitions.

Thine is the power – Thou hast power to accomplish what we ask. We are weak, and cannot do it; but thou art Almighty, and all things are possible with thee.

Thine is the glory – That is, thine is the honor or praise. Not for “our honor,” but that thy glory, thy goodness, may be displayed in providing for our wants; thy power exerted in defending us; thy praise be celebrated by causing thy kingdom to spread through the earth.

For ever – for: to or into (indicating the point reached or entered, of place, time, purpose, result); ever: an age, a cycle (of time), especially of the present age as contrasted with the future age, and of one of a series of ages stretching to infinity.

This “doxology,” or ascription of praise, is connected with the prayer by the word “for,” to signify that all these things – the reign, power, and glory of God – will be manifested by granting these petitions. It is not because we are to be benefited, but that God’s name and perfections may be manifested. His glory is, then, the first and principal thing which we are to seek when we approach him. We are to suffer our concerns to be lost sight of in the superior glory and honor of his name and dominion. We are to seek temporal and eternal life chiefly because the honor of our Maker will be promoted, and his name be more illustriously displayed to his creatures. He is to be “first, last, supremest, best,” in our view; and all selfish and worldly views are to be absorbed in that one great desire of the soul that God may be [our] “all in all.” Approaching him with these feelings, our prayers will be answered; our devotions will ascend like incense, and the lifting up our hands will be like the evening sacrifice. (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)

Amen – This is a word of Hebrew origin, from a verb signifying “to be firm, secure, to be true and faithful.” It is a word expressing consent or strong approbation; a word of strong asseveration. It means “verily, certainly, so be it.”

When we take our time and meditate upon what we are reading, we gain deeper insight into what is being said.  It is like taking our time when we eat, juxtaposed to just gulping down our food.

READ:

Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.