Words of Grace – April 3, 2014

King Solomon’s name was known all over the world in his day. In the Bible, name and fame go together. Solomon was famous because of his great wisdom and his great wealth.

People from afar, including the queen of Sheba, visited the King. First Kings 10:1 tells us that when they heard of his fame and his name, they wanted to see for themselves. No one went away disappointed.

The queen even admitted that the half had not been told to her. “Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame which I heard,” she told the King (v.7).

Solomon wrote about the value of having a good name. Proverbs 22:1 says: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. “Ecclesiastes 7:1 says: “A good name is better than precious ointment.”

Matthew 12:42 reminds us that, even though Solomon had made a great name for himself, “behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” “That is the Lord Jesus Christ. He was given” a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).

Jesus taught the disciples to pray in that name, the name of Jesus. He promised that whatsoever we shall ask in Jesus’ name, the name of Jesus. He promised that whatsoever we shall ask in Jesus’ name, the Lord will do it, “that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). If we shall ask anything in Jesus’ name, Jesus said, “I will do it” (v. 14).

True prayer is prayer in Jesus’ name. O. Hallesby wrote: “We have learned that to pray in the name of Jesus is the real element of prayer in all our prayers.”