MEMORY VERSE: honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;), Ephesians 6:2
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Sam 20, 1 Cor 2, Lam 5, John 1
What is honor? It is to regard with great respect or to show courteous behavior towards something. When the Lord gave the first commandment –thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3); there was no promise attached to it. When He gave the second one – thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Exodus 20:3); no promise was attached to it. When he gave the third no promise was attached to it. When He said honor thy father and mother, He attached a promise of long life and prosperity to it. This speaks volume.
My father was never there for me, why should I honor him? My mother left my father to take care of us alone, why should I honor her? Friends, I want you to know that the commandment to honor our parents came from God not our pastors or parents. All commandments are to be obeyed. According to James 2:10 if you obey all commandments – you don’t steal, fornicate, lie, covet and offend in one, you are guilty of all. In other words a brother who does not honor his parent or a sister who is not in talking terms with her mother is in the same league with a murderer or a fornicator in the eyes of God. Another reason why we need to honor our father and mother is so that it may be well with us. When the bible says honor thy father and mother that it may be well with thee (Ephesians 6:2-3). Well with thee on earth and in the day of judgement. Not only that , it means so that it may be well with you spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally , martially e.t.c.
When we honor our father and mother, we are guaranteed long life. No one wants to die young; the recipe for long life is honoring one’s father and mother. When you study this chapter carefully, you will notice that the Lord did not say honor your father and mother only on occasions. He did not say honor them when they pay your school fees alone or when they treat you right or when they are there for you. It says honor them – regardless of whatever they may have done to you. A man of God once shared his story with us. He went through a lot of challenges as a young man, the mother had to raise five children on her own without the support of his dad. When he grew up , he served God with all his strength – he was an usher and a prayer warrior , he never missed church, he always paid his tithe, when it comes to giving he was one of the biggest giver but his life did not bare resemblance to the life of a fellow who was serving God. Despite all his efforts, there was nothing to show for it. One day he heard a message like this and forgave his dad. He went to see him and blessed him financially. Not only that, he began to honor his father. Today he is the author of three bestselling books. When you do your part to honor your parents regardless of whatever they have done to you, the Lord will activate his promise in your life.
ACTION POINT: In whatever way you may have been dishonoring parents, repent today and make amendments
Bro Samuel – Reaching the world for Jesus.
