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Exodus 20:24b

24bIn every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.


In the middle of God's law regarding altars, there is this profound promise. Where His name is remembered, He promises to come and bring a blessing. God revealed his name, YHWH, to Moses (Exodus 6:3). The sense of His name is the timeless, ever present God. The name of the LORD first dwelt in the tabernacle in Shiloh (Jeremiah 7:12). Later the name of the LORD would dwell in the temple in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5, 11). This passage we are looking at does not say "where I cause my name to dwell," but where it is "remembered". In the context of the passage He caused His name to be remembered where sacrifice to the LORD took place such as at the tabernacle and the temple.

One of the clear teachings of the New Testament is that we, the redeemed of Jesus, are the temple of the living God (Ephesians 2:19-22). God causes His name to be remembered wherever you are, Christian. You bring the fragrance of Christ as you walk in the Spirit (2 Corinthians 2:14). You offer sacrifices of praise (Hebrews 13:15). You offer yourself as a living sacrifice each day (Romans 12:1).

If this is true of you, then the promise we see in the altar instructions is for you. He comes to you and blesses you. Of course it is because of the work of Jesus who atoned for your sins and intercedes for you at this moment. That, itself, is a blessing but just a part of the blessing of His presence.

Prayer: LORD, open my eyes to the blessings You bring as You cause Your name to be remembered in me. Help me live in gratitude and celebration of this truth today. Help me let go of the passing annoyances and cling to these rich things of real importance.