Creator, Father, King #81

Honor your father and mother.

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of obeying the fifth commandment to “honor your father and mother.” Your sinful nature is never going to make this perfectly easy. But it’d be a lot simpler if every parent were like a 1950s TV sitcom dad or mom, with impeccable manners, sage advice at every turn, and nary a hair out of place!

Of course, that’s not real life. Parents are sinners, too. They need God’s grace, just like you. But many of them are fulfilling their God-given role: training their children to walk with the Lord.

Sadly, though, some aren’t. Maybe you don’t enjoy that picture-perfect TV family. Maybe you come from a broken home, where genuine expressions of love are virtually nonexistent. Maybe you’ve experienced the nightmare of abuse.

If any of this is your reality, “honor your father and mother” probably isn’t a simple command for you. It might spur a million thoughts, causing you to wonder, How in the world do I do that?

And that’s okay. Let’s talk about it.

What’s It Mean?

We live in a fallen world. Sin has affected every inch of the human experience, including many parent-child relationships. If this brokenness has extended to your family, and a parent’s words or actions have made it difficult to honor them, remember the following truths from Scripture:

• Broken families weren’t God’s original design. That’s Satan’s handiwork. (He fights against everything found in the godly family model of Ephesians 5:22–6:4.)
• God loves the parent(s) you’re struggling with. He sent his only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for your sins—and theirs (John 3:16-17).
• God is your perfect, loving heavenly Father. You can “give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7).
• In his divine providence, God sometimes allows us to go through great trials that seem unbearable at the time but will ultimately strengthen our faith in him (James 1:2-4).
• Amazingly, God works all things in his children’s lives for ultimate good, even trials (Romans 8:28).
• If Scripture calls us to love our enemies and “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), pray for the parent(s) you are struggling with.
• God wants love and forgiveness, not bitterness, to reign in your heart toward those who have wronged you (Ephesians 4:31-32).

There are so many complex family situations out there that one devotion can’t adequately address them all. But God knows your situation completely. Cry out to him. He always takes care of his children.

Now What?

Meditate on Psalm 147:3 and Isaiah 42:3.

Did You Know?

If you’re suffering abuse, that is not God’s design for your life, and you don’t have to navigate this alone. Seek help from a trusted adult.