Do they know they are saying?

Friends,

Like many of you, I was transfixed by the image of a large jet airplane partially submerged in the Hudson River. The news coverage that followed included the predictably breathless reports from on-the-scene correspondents proclaiming that it was a "miracle" anyone survived, let alone the fact that everyone on board made it out safely.

Fair enough.
I never paid any attention to the pre-flight announcements because I figured that, if the plane did crash, there wouldn't be any opportunity to find the nearest exit before taking my last breath. So, okay. Call it whatever you want.

But then we hear passengers and pundits saying, "Thank God!" Certainly, it's appropriate to thank Almighty God. But how sincere is that expression of gratitude?

You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
Exodus 20:7 [NKJV]

We'll go deep into the meaning of that verse in an upcoming podcast (subscribe by clicking the link below), but one of the more obvious meanings of the command is to forbid anyone from trivializing the word, "God." When a non-believer says, "Thank God!" what - exactly - do they mean? If they are a non-believer, who are they thanking? Or is it just an expression?

I suspect that their exclamation of gratitude is devoid of much thought... which makes it empty. In short, it is a vain use of God's holy name.

Let's be mindful of how we use that expression. It's probable that we have sinned that same sin. But we don't have to continue doing so. We can say, "Thank God!" And really mean it! When we do that, we take a small, important step towards true holiness.

Be encouraged, Jose

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