I am a fan of basketball. I had just seen a video of a player doing a spectacular dunk and then he turned to the crowd and opposing team to showboat a bit. The boasting player repeatedly said as he pounded his chest, “Put some respect on my name! Put some respect on my name!” Apparently, he felt as though some had been downplaying his abilities and after an impressive play wanted to send the message that he should be feared and respected. Personally, I thought it was an interesting choice of words to exclaim in celebration and so it stuck with me.
The next day I went into one of our classrooms at church to put some Sunday school materials in there. I looked at the whiteboard and this verse written across the board from the Sunday before jumped out at me: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name.” In other words, “Put some respect on my name!” The succession of seeing that video and this verse right afterward caused me to laugh.
It reminded me that sometimes God gets a bad reputation in our world. He is often misrepresented, undervalued, or ignored altogether. And yet, He is literally the greatest being in all of existence and there is no close second. He alone is our awesome Creator God, Lord of Heaven and Earth, matchless in glory and splendor, worthy of our worship.
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.” This prayer should become our prayer. And even more than a prayer, it should become our lifestyle. When we recognize God for who He truly is and live life in worship of Him, we ascribe the glory and holiness that is due to Him. We help his reputation to be kept holy and help Him to be seen for who He truly is as we live God-glorifying lifestyles. May the way we live as Christians help others to, “put some respect on His name.” He is so worthy of it.