Honor

We live in a military community, so it's easy to hear an echo of "Duty, Honor, Country" here. But I want to step away from that right now and go directly to the way we live out our faith.




Looking back to the very foundation of God's written communication with man - the tablets that Moses was given on Mt Sinai, the word "honor" comes up.

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Ex 20:12 (NLT)

The first few commandments deal with man's relationship with God. They are crafted to outline man's responsibilities to God. Left alone, we are so prone to turn to lesser gods of no worth whatsoever including our own selfish desires. So a loving God gave us guidelines to keep our hearts focused on what is best for us.

The next commandments give us guidelines to govern our human relationships. Why would that be necessary? Can't we simply do right by God and know we'll treat each other well?

When I was thinking about this, I realized that mankind is the only species that lives on earth that takes care of their aged. All kinds of animals take care of their young. A blue-jay will take you on regardless of your size should you get too near the nest his young are in. Left to our own animal nature then, we would do the same. Take care of our young and ignore the needs of the aged.

So God,again in love and calling us to what is best, in the very first of the guidelines - says "honor your father and mother." And by honoring the aged we rise above the base urges and step into the life of loving obedience to God we were created for.

The fifth commandment has more to do with medical care, old-age pensions, and retirement homes than with using the last phrase as an aid to discipline your children into doing what is right. It means quite simply when your Mama and Daddy have to depend on you, don't let them down. Honor your father and mother. When age begins to take its toll, you must step up and do whatever you can.

Although Social Security, Medicare, and pensions can do much to help us, no system can honor your parents for you. It means giving them every dignity you can. The root of the Hebrew word for honor means to "weigh heavy." The people who have "weighed me heavy" are those who have contributed most to my life: my parents, my wife and my children — to them I owe great respect and honor.

Don't miss your opportunity to give honor to your aging parents. It is through such acts of kindness that we say no to a culture in which the newest is put in preeminence, and follow the way of Christ.