Tuesday, August 1, 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)

The Fifth Commandment often gets misquoted as, “obey your father and mother.” The command actually calls us to something much deeper than merely doing what our parents say. It challenges us to honor them.

To honor someone is to treat them as someone of great worth. The Hebrew word for “honor” is most commonly used to describe how we respond to God. It is often translated “glorify.” It means to hold someone in high regard, to treat them with dignity and respect, to put them on a pedestal.

To honor your parents is to treat them in such a way that they get the message that they are your heroes. They are special. They have great worth.

Live the Word

Think of something you learned from your parents, and tell God “thanks” for that lesson. If it is possible, contact your parents and tell them you appreciate what they taught you.