Monday, July 31, 2023

Listen to the Word

Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.  (Exodus 20:12)

This week we will reflect on the commandment to honor our parents. It is important to recognize that this instruction is not just for kids. We tend to think of it as the children’s sermon within the 10 Commandments – as if God is preaching away, warning of very adult temptations like idolatry and adultery, and in the middle of it he takes a break to tell the kiddies to respect their parents. Of course the command applies to children, but it speaks to big people, too. We never outgrow it. It is at least as relevant to those moving away from 18 as it is to those moving toward it. In some ways, it gets more important and more complicated the older we get. If you have parents, or if you have had them at some point in your life, then this command applies to you. You are called to honor your parents.

Live the Word

Confess to God your tendency to dishonor your parents, and ask him to help you to honor them this week.