February 5 Honor

Esther 1:20-22 “So when the decree made by the king is proclaimed throughout all his kingdom, for it is vast, all women will give honor to their husbands, high and low alike.” 21 This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did as Memucan proposed. 22 He sent letters to all the royal provinces, to every province in its own script and to every people in its own language, that every man be master in his own household and speak according to the language of his people.
 
RIGHT. “All women will give honor to their husbands.” I can just picture my wife’s reaction if I walked into the room and said, “Barb, you will give honor to me.” Her appropriate response would be, “Why?” And she wouldn’t be satisfied with, “Because I said so!”
    Barb’s response would be that way not because she doesn’t love and even want to honor me, but it would be an appropriate response because honor cannot be a forced obedience. There is no honor to you if it is forced. Instead, honor must come from a loving heart, willing to uphold another.
    Yes, it is true we are commanded to honor in Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” And in Leviticus 19:32 “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” These are commands to honor in a way God commands us to love. Honor here begins with the parents and the elderly. They are to act in God’s truth toward their children and grandchildren. Ungodly parents and grandparents are not to be honored in their sin. See this in Proverbs 26:1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.
    Honor comes from a mutual relationship of love, obedience, blessing, kindness and gentleness. My wife is willing to honor me as I live in these ways toward her. I am eager to honor her as she honors me in these ways, as well. Parents, do you want your children to honor you? Then honor them with godly wisdom, integrity, truth, discipline, love and leadership for your home.
    As you must love to be loved, you must honor to be honored. Whether you’re a king, husband or wife, honoring relationships can never be forced. They must begin with love and respect.
 
Prayer: Lord, teach me to honor all people you have brought into my life with an active love. In Jesus’ name, amen.