Honor Your Parents
“Honor
your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the
Lord your God is giving you.”1
Most
of us were raised with the fifth commandment deeply ingrained into our minds’
database. Honor your parents. Respect
your elders. There is no question that this commandment was among the most
repeated. As children, it was pretty simple: we obeyed; we obeyed right
away—and preferably with a good attitude. As we grew older and left home, we
were no longer required to obey, but
still to honor them. We still respect
our elders and should still express our love and appreciation. We can do that
in a practical manner, whether it be by a call or text to check in on our
parents, lending aid when they need it, and caring for them if they need to be
cared for. There is no age limit for honoring the people who raised us. In
doing so, we are honoring God as well.
If
we are walking with the Lord or seeking Him today, then we probably had parents
or guardians who sought after our spiritual well-being as well as our physical.
The Bible has rules for both parents and children alike. Parents are instructed
to “Train up a child in the
way he should go, so that when he is grown, he will not depart from it” (Prov.
22:6), and children are instructed to “…. obey your parents in the Lord, for
this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). As parents, it is our job to love our children
and instruct them in the right way. As children our job is to take that love
and instruction and turn it into honor and respect for our parents. It is
commanded of us by God!
For some who had a difficult upbringing,
honoring our parents may have been—and continues to be—a struggle. But God is a
God of grace and forgiveness and desires for his children to be at peace. Ask
the Lord to help you find both, and in doing so, be able to honor the parents
who have been undeserving. You will be able to step forward as the person God
has called you to be. When we honor God first, we are keeping the commandments
and therefore ensuring ourselves a blessed life!
Suggested Prayer: Dear Lord, I have not
shown my parents the honor you have commanded me to show them. Regardless of
whether I believe they are deserving of that honor; you have commanded it of
me. I ask that you fill me with your love and grace, and forgiveness if
necessary, so that I might be able to make a conscious decision to honor my
parents as is your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
1.
Exodus 20:12.
Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica
B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.