Open Heavens May 18, 2008

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psa. 16-18

HONORING PARENTS

MEMORIZE: "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute towhom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor" Rom. 13:7)

READ: John 19:25-27

King Saul was after David’s life. The latter ran to Samuel, thinking that his pursuer will regard the man of God through whom he was anointed king.

But when he observed Saul had no regard for their spiritual father, he fled to the enemies’ camp. As the enemies were thinking of what to do with him, David ran until he got to the cave at Adullam. This was some place of respite. While there, some of his relatives and others came to meet him for protection. But his parents could not afford to be running from place to place with him, and therefore became likely targets for Saul. Thus, while besieged by his own problems, David went to arrange a safe location for his parents (1 Samuel 22:1-4 ). This is characteristic of a man after God’s heart.

Exodus 20:12 commands us to honor our father and mother if we want to live long. A child that has no regard for his parents and elders may never grow to become an elder. Some children neglect their parents when they need them most. Affluence in the lives of some people have turned into a curse, because they look down on everybody, including their parents and speak unadvisedly to them. Unfortunately, by such actions they are sowing evil seeds they will harvest sooner or later. Do you neglect your parents? Do you take care of them?

In spite of the agony He was undergoing on the Cross, Jesus remembered His mother, and ensured John, His closet disciple, took her to his house to care for her as He had always done. By this time Joseph, her husband, had passed on (John 9:26-27). Do not say because things are not okay economically, you cannot show care to your parents. Recall all their years of toiling for you before you became somebody. Even if your parents were horrible and wicked to you, now that you have become a child of God, there is no place for revenge. Forgive and take the best care of them and let their conscience judge them. To become what God has planned for you, parental blessings are very important. Check the roles of godly parents in the Scriptures, and you will see this repeated. To provoke that parental blessing, you need to earn it by taking the best care of them. If your parents are not yet born again, immediately try and win them to Christ. No matter what you are going through, ensure your parents are well taken care of. It is a seed you too will reap from by the time you grow old.

ACTIONPOINT: Your parents owe you a generational blessing. They can deliver it to you or take it to the grave. To receive it, you must provoke it by providing extra special care