Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (Ex. 20:12).
The fifth commandment is "the first commandment with promise" (Eph. 6:2). It is the commandment with a promise of long life upon the earth. Do you love life? Then look well to this commandment, which is widely disobeyed today. Fathers and mothers are human, with faults, and failings; but every son and daughter--and that means all of us--should show gratitude for the care our parents have given us. That is just common gratitude, all too often uncommon.
How much more than others should Christians honor their father and mother--those who gave them life and love in babyhood, who sacrificed for them in youth, and who now need their love and care. Let it never be said of us as Christians that we ignore this promise-illuminated word of the Ten Commandments.
Think of the wonderful example of Jesus. He had no home, no money, but He had a friend; and from the cross itself He willed His widowed mother to John as a precious legacy. "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother....When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home" (John 19:25-27).
Disobedience, which is dishonor to parents, is a mark of the last perilous age of the world (2 Tim. 3:1, 2). Let us bring the home circle closer together as earthly night closes down, and God will give light and love wherever children honor and love father and mother. Never forget or neglect them. Write the letter, say the loving word, bring the help needed--for time is short!
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies" (Ps. 119:22).
The fifth commandment is "the first commandment with promise" (Eph. 6:2). It is the commandment with a promise of long life upon the earth. Do you love life? Then look well to this commandment, which is widely disobeyed today. Fathers and mothers are human, with faults, and failings; but every son and daughter--and that means all of us--should show gratitude for the care our parents have given us. That is just common gratitude, all too often uncommon.
How much more than others should Christians honor their father and mother--those who gave them life and love in babyhood, who sacrificed for them in youth, and who now need their love and care. Let it never be said of us as Christians that we ignore this promise-illuminated word of the Ten Commandments.
Think of the wonderful example of Jesus. He had no home, no money, but He had a friend; and from the cross itself He willed His widowed mother to John as a precious legacy. "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother....When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home" (John 19:25-27).
Disobedience, which is dishonor to parents, is a mark of the last perilous age of the world (2 Tim. 3:1, 2). Let us bring the home circle closer together as earthly night closes down, and God will give light and love wherever children honor and love father and mother. Never forget or neglect them. Write the letter, say the loving word, bring the help needed--for time is short!
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies" (Ps. 119:22).
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