Honor Your Parents

Today's Verse

Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

Thoughts

This is the fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments, God had given the Israelites through Moses. But this is the “first” commandment with promise (Eph 6:2). In fact it is the “only” commandment with promise! Why is it so important that the Lord had to attach such promise, and not to all the commandments? When you have the words “so that”, then something follows afterwards – and it is good, it spells long life. In fact, this is the secret to long life! It is not some magic fountain, some freezing machine, or by any invention and medicine.

In the United States, there is growing problem of juvenile delinquencies and increasing at sharp rate. If not controlled, then this country will become a country of anarchy. No rules, no standards, no peace, everything is chaos, no long life – everyone will die at youth because of violence, drugs and vices, suicides, and others. Even aggravated by some self-righteous civil rights movements, where they promote that disciplining children is inhuman and against the law. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law” (Psalm 94:12).

The Lord instituted or established the family as the primary environment for training children into obedience, character building, and values forming. According to studies, the greatest influence to children largely comes from the environment of the family which is 93%, 5% comes from school, and 2% from others including church. Therefore, the family is where kids must learn to practice submission and obedience to authorities placed by God – which are the parents. Then, when children are grown up, they learn how to submit to authorities – the law, the police, their bosses, their spouse, and any authority. No matter how good or bad parents are, it is not an excuse - it is God’s commandment, and it is God who rewards or punishes.

The Lord is the Lord of order and peace, and He knows best that obedience when practiced - however small - brings forth long life and lasting rewards. Jews rebelling against Moses were swallowed in a pit, Satan rebelled against God will be kept in a pit forever, left-wing or right-wing groups rebelling against nations were buried in a pit, a disobedient young and beautiful girl was found in a pit in Florida – raped and murdered. How shall we learn obedience and not rebellion? The Lord established the rules and authorities, follow and obey – and live long.

Prayer

Lord God Heavenly Father, there is life and fulfillment in obedience. When You commanded us to obey, it is for our own good. Forgive us Lord when we fail, guide us that we may follow. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Vertrauen im Lord!
(Trust in the Lord! In German)