“The family should be a closely knit group. The home should be a self contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honoured; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed.”
Billy Graham
Honour Your Father and Mother
“Honour your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Ephesians 6:2-3
In the story of Joseph, we see he honoured his father and also cared for him until his death. Even though Joseph became the ruler of Egypt; a position where he had no lack and it would have been very easy for him to forget his beginnings, his heart was with his father and his family.
Exodus 20:12 says,“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” . Though this is one of the ten commandments given by God, some people may find it hard to honour their parents due to their poor parenting and repeated failures.
Joseph forgave his brothers in order to restore the family unity and the bonds of love and we are also called to do the same. Mark 11:25 says that we need to forgive those who trespass against us, so that our Father in heaven may also forgive us our trespasses.
Unforgiveness is the root cause of disunity in many families, as the bitterness planted by the enemy will steal the joy and peace from the relationships between the parents and the children. Most importantly unforgiveness affects our relationship with God. On the other hand, it is a blessing to let go of the past and choose to forgive. The best solution is to forgive, love each other despite everything, and pray for each other. If we choose this, our homes will truly becomes the shelter of security and love.
Today God wants the hatred and bitterness to be laid down as He is the source of love who can give the strength to forgive.
Dear Lord,
I thank You for my parents. I did not choose my parents but You chose them for me. Therefore I come to You this morning and ask You to forgive me for any offences that I have had against them, and I release them to You and love them in the name of Jesus. Amen.
God Bless you,
Theo and Manju