“Blessed” Children

Hey, kids. I know you don’t usually read this article but this week take the time to read it. It was written just for you. Please?
Everyone who would like to be a success in life, raise your hand. Looks like every hand is up. I mean, who plans to be a failure? So here’s good news for all of you with your hand up. (All right, you can put them down now, and read on.)
When God gave the 10 Commandments to Israel, He gave the first 4 rules about how they were to honor the Lord. The very next commandment is to children. “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12) Paul repeats this in Ephesians. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (6:1-3) Notice he reminded children that this was the first of the 10 Commandments that contains a promise. We’ll look at that in a minute.
Paul uses two words to describe how you are to behave toward your parents. You are to obey them, and you are to honor them. These are not quite the same. Obey has to do with what you do and don’t do. Honor deals more with your attitude, expressed in your words and actions. For example, when asked to do something, you could say to your mother, “All right, if I have to.” If you do it, you are obeying, but your attitude is certainly not honoring.
Honoring parents is similar to honoring the Lord. Your thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes toward them are always respectful. You would never speak against them to a friend. You would do your best to fulfill not just their words but also their wishes for you. Your parents may not always be right, but they are always God’s gift to you and always deserve your honor.
To those who honor their parents God promises, “it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” The first part of this promises that you will be a success. That is a wonderful future to be guaranteed! The second part does not mean you will necessarily live many years. It means you will live all the years God planned for you. Psalm 21:4 hints that this includes eternity. After all, to truly honor your parents, you will first need to honor God by receiving Christ.
In what ways can your honor your parents today? What about tomorrow? Think of the reward awaiting you if you set this as a daily goal!