Honoring Your Parents

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

 What if one rule came with a special guarantee? 

 Today’s verse is the fifth commandment: to honor your father and mother. And it is the only commandment with a promise.  

When you honor your parents, He honors you. “...so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20: 12b, NIV) In other words, how you treat your parents impacts the quality of your life.  

You are never too old to honor your parents, and your parents are never too old to be honored.  

Are your parents still living? How is your relationship with them? What does it look like to honor them? As a child, your parents likely served and met your needs. Are you returning that favor? God asks you to make room in your schedule to serve and meet their needs.   

 Jesus died fulfilling this commandment–with his last breath, ensuring His mother received protection and care. (See John 19:26-27) God wants to shape your perspective toward your parents into one of genuine honor.  

What does it mean to “honor” your parents? The word used in this verse literally means “heavy.” It means to give proper weight to someone or something. Let appropriate respect be given for the years of provision and care your parents sacrificed to provide you with.  

Even if your parents caused harm–as all parents do, to one degree or another–God asks you to give them an appropriate measure of gratitude for giving you life. You wouldn’t be here without them.  

If you have ever felt burdened, or been hurt by your parents, God will help you see them as a blessing and give them honor. And as you do, God promises to bless you.  

Prayer: Father, Thank You that my parents gave me life. I praise You for them. Lord, help me honor my parents. Give me the grace to respect and offer them gratitude, patience and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.