Honor Your Father & Mother

The first commandment is to honor your father and mother. It came with a promise. Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16 ESV  

This can be a nearly insurmountable commandment for those who have endured abuse and unspeakable horror at the hands of their parents. And yet, God commands it.

Recently, a speaker shared her struggle with this commandment. Her mother had abused her terribly. As a teenager, she put her mother out of her life. In midlife, God asked her to forgive her mother and honor her. It was a struggle but she was obedient. Their reunion was sweet and their relationship is excellent now. She stepped out in faith and God took it the rest of the way. He honored her obedience.

I’ve also known many women who were sexually abused by a family member or someone they trusted. The enemy - in his craving to lie, steal and destroy - uses those experiences to bring deep, deep wounding. Only God, in His love, grace, mercy and gentleness can bring healing and close those doors that allow the enemy legal right and access to torment and oppress.

I can't speak to the outcome you may experience. I do know that God can prepare hearts. My husband and I prayed for months before a conversation we had with my parents about issues from my past. It was amazing what God did! His timing is perfect. Seek Him before, during and after any attempt to resolve issues or reconcile. Pray! Pray! Pray!
 

(If anyone in the Greater Cleveland area wants to know about Freedom Weekends, let me know. Larry and I just attended one and all I can say is WOW! I experienced freedom from heavy oppression as well as physical healing – Hallelujah! “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28)

 

We also need to honor our Father God. The words of Paul in his letter to the church in Ephesus describe what God has done for us so well. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:3-14 ESV He is worthy of our honor and praise!

I encourage you to honor your father and mother. If there are unresolved issues – even if one or both of your parents are no longer living - take them to God. He will direct your steps and provide all you need along the way. Allow Him to work through you. He can complete a work that will bring you freedom and wholeness that can only be found in and through Him.