“Honoring parents involves obedience to the Lord.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 16, 2024
Honor your father and your mother. Exodus 20:12
The commandment to honor one’s parents is etched in the Ten Commandments, as seen in Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” This directive is not merely a cultural norm but a divine imperative woven into the fabric of God’s design for family and society. Understanding the motive to honor one’s parents begins with recognizing the significance of this command as a key component of God’s plan for flourishing relationships. Parents are the Lord’s agents to provide their children with a family culture of love, acceptance, and understanding.
A child’s honoring love encompasses reverence, respect, and obedience. Proverbs 1:8 beautifully encapsulates this: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” Honoring parents involves valuing their guidance, heeding their wisdom, and recognizing the authority vested in them by God. It goes beyond mere compliance and extends to a heartfelt acknowledgment of parents’ role in shaping character and imparting foundational values. Children who joyfully learn from their parents grow wise. Ephesians 6:1-3 provides practical guidance, stating, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” Honoring parents involves obedience to the Lord and recognizing the inherent blessing that comes with honoring the divine order established by God. Love obeys and patiently trusts the Lord for the best outcomes.
Beyond obedience, a child’s honoring love is expressed through gratitude, kindness, and care. Proverbs 23:22 instructs, “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Caring for aging parents, showing appreciation for their sacrifices, and supporting them emotionally and practically are tangible expressions of honoring love. Siblings who selflessly give back to the ones who gave to them, honor God and their mom and dad.
Communication is another crucial aspect of honoring parents. Proverbs 15:5 highlights the importance of listening to the instruction of a father to acquire understanding. Engaging in meaningful conversations, seeking guidance, and valuing the wisdom parents offer contribute to a culture of honoring love within the family. Children who honor their parents make the time to patiently listen to repeated stories, realizing there will come a day when it’s the last story.
A child’s honoring love is a response to God’s commandment designed for the well-being and harmony of the family unit. The motivation stems from recognizing the divine significance of honoring parents. A generous child shows reverence, respect, and obedience and serves with practical expressions of care, gratitude, and open communication. As children embrace the principles of honoring love outlined in the Scriptures, they contribute to the flourishing of family relationships and experience the blessings promised by God for those who honor their parents.
A very powerful quote for parents by the famous theologian, J. C. Ryle, “Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear… Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory. What they see has a much stronger effect on their minds than what they are told.” Parents who seek to model Christlikeness are easier to honor, yet even parents who fall short of a child’s expectations are called by the Lord to be honored. Children seek to honor their parents by God’s grace, especially when it’s difficult to honor them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the grace to generously and lovingly make time to care for and listen to my parents through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name.
Application
Collaborate with your siblings with a plan to care for your parents. Be intentional by investing time in being with and listening to your parents.
Related Reading
Psalm 127:3-5; Ephesians 4:32, 6:1-3; 1 Timothy 5:8; 3 John 1:4
Additional ideas on ways to honor your parents
Worship Resource
Kari Jobe: Nothing Else & The Heart of Worship
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