Daily Devotional – Saturday, December 4, 2021
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)
A shocking newspaper story caught my eye. An old man was suing one of his sons, demanding that the son remits a fifth of his salary to the father. The elderly citizen claimed his son had neglected him even after the sacrifices the father made to educate the son.
How did we arrive at the same very low point? Why is there an increase in old people’s homes? Do homeless senior citizens have children? Why do children refuse or avoid to care for the parents who gave birth to them and nurtured them?
The aged beg on the streets, live in ramshackle houses and survive on one meal a day, if they are lucky to get any. The media abounds with stories of children neglecting, abusing and even killing their parents and guardians.
The Fourth Commandment
What many of us forget is that God commands us to respect and take care of our parents. The Fourth Commandment states, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12).
This law is as important as the other nine. You may not be a thief or a murderer but if you disobey, disrespect, neglect or abandon the people who sacrificed for you to be whom you are today, you have sinned.
The term ‘parents’ includes guardians, relatives, teachers, spiritual leaders, mentors and other people who have played key positive roles in your life. God expects Christians to be grateful people who repay good with good.
Paul adds some insights into this commandment:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
Note two important issues here:
- God promises longer and happier lives to those who respect and care for their parents, guardians and elderly people.
- Obedience to parents, however, must be ‘in the Lord.” We should not to carry out the commands and requests of parents if it means contradicting the will of God.
Do you desire a happier, healthier and longer life? The secret is in how you treat those who stood by you when you were helpless and vulnerable.
Are you honoring such people? What will you do today to honor your mother and father? Are there any such plans for this festive season?
Heavenly Father, reveal to me how to honor those who have earned the term ‘parent’ in my life.
Do you think we are honoring our parents enough in modern society? Please leave a comment.