HONOR GOD, YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER!

Hello [subscriber:firstname | default:Beloved],

This week, I would like to focus on the honor we give to our Heavenly Father.  “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor?” The Most High God asks this question in Malachi 1:6 to the people of Israel. He rebukes them for offering unclean food on His altar; for sacrificing blind, lame, or maimed animals to Him.

To honor a person is to show deep consideration for the person, to treat him or her with great respect and consideration.

It is written in Ephesians 6:2-3: “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”  If the Lord commands that we should honor our biological parents so that we can live long and happy on the earth, how much more should we honor God the Father Himself! The Bible says that keeping God’s commandments extends the days and years of our lives and gives us peace (Proverbs 3:1-2). 

Many of God’s children dishonor the heavenly Father without realizing it. And the fact that they do not realize it is an indication that they are not honoring God. If you were to be received in audience by the Head of State of your country, would you be late? Would you go to the Presidential Palace in tatters? If you have to attend a job interview, would you even afford to be 5 minutes late? Why are you not moved when you arrive late at the church? Would you chew gum in front of a recruiting agent? Why do you do it so easily in the temple of the Lord? Why can you afford to pick up the phone or answer messages in the middle of worship or prayer? Would you do this if you were facing the Head of State or a king of your country?  “And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” says the Lord in Malachi1:8. Beloved, may this call your attention!  

At church, before your Pastor or before your brothers and sisters in Christ, you have the appearance of a godly person. But when you are with your friends outside the church, you are not different from a pagan. Or once you are at home, you like to despise your servants and even insult them when they make mistakes. How are you different from that wicked servant mentioned in Matthew 24: 48-51 who, seeing that his Master was slow to come, started beating his companions; eating and drinking with drunkards. He would never have had such an attitude if his Master had been present. Neither did he have any consideration for God, because he forgot that if his Master could not see him, he was as naked before the Almighty God!

Who are we deceiving? Are we forgetting that God is omnipresent? Do we forget that He looks at our actions, thoughts and attitudes of heart, wherever we are?

 If we forget this, it is precisely because we do not honor Him!

“For those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed,” says the Lord in 1 Samuel 2:30c. A biological father would fulfill his duty as a father towards his son, who is constantly disobeying him, by paying for his studies, housing him under his roof, feeding him, etc., but would be more inclined, in addition to fulfilling his typical role as a father, to please his other son who loves and honors him the most!

Know this, Beloved, if you love God your Father and honor Him, you will take pleasure, not only in keeping His commandments but, more than that, in pleasing Him and rejoicing His heart. Let not the freedom in Christ cause you to forget that you must honor your heavenly Father! Believe me, the blessing attached to the honor due to your biological parents also applies to the Lord. So honor Him, and He will also take pleasure in fulfilling the desires of your heart, ensuring your happiness, protecting you, and blessing you in all areas of your life (Psalm 128). Knowing that the happiness of the members of your family will make you happy, He will be delighted to ensure their happiness, because of the Father-son/daughter covenant that you have with Him.

Honor your heavenly Father and you will see His glory!

May God bless you!