Meditate. How will you honor your father…or his memory?
[Samekh] I hate those with
divided loyalties, but I love your instructions. You are my refuge and my
shield; your word is my source of hope. Get out of my life, you evil-minded
people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God. LORD, sustain me as you
promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed. Sustain me, and I
will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees. But you have
rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You
skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws!
I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations. Psalm
119:113-120
Divided loyalties is something that God truly does not like especially if it is associated with mixing idol and God worship.
But when you ask
him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with
divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed
by the wind. James 1:6
Oregon Pacific Coast
Are you tossed about like these waves?
You must never set
up a wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build for the LORD your God. And
never set up sacred pillars for worship, for the LORD your God hates them. Deuteronomy
16:21-22
It’s easy to get caught up in a form of idol worship…like
putting a TV program before “God” time. What matters most to you in life…food, sports,
YouTube, Netflix, Prime or some other TV program, electronics, travel, your appearance,
clothes, shoes, cars, motorcycles, toys, books, comics, or God? How we spend
our time generally shows our devotion and what is really important to us.
Today, Father’s Day, the important thing should be to honor our fathers. That
can begin with honoring our Heavenly Father, too. Solomon reminds us of what is
import to God and family in these passages in Proverbs.
There are six things
the LORD hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands
that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a
false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. Proverbs
6:16-19
My son, obey your
father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their
words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their
counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up,
they will advise you. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a
light; their corrective discipline is the way to life. Proverbs 6:20-23
God instructed Moses to have the Israelites honor their parents.
It is the first commandment after how we are to honor God first in our lives…and
it is the only commandment with a promise. Additionally, there were strict…death…results
if a person didn’t honor their parents.
Honor your father
and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God
is giving you. Exodus 20:12
For instance, God
says, 'Honor your father and mother,' and 'Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of
father or mother must be put to death.' Matthew 15:4
How are you showing respect and honor to your father today?
Prayer ~ Lord, help me to honor my father…and my mother…today.
Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O
God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive
our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9
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