Devotions Inspired By Beyond BlessedSample

HONOR YOUR FAMILY
by Phillip Hunter 

I am so blessed and thankful for my family, and I have the greatest parents and in-laws in the world. But no family is perfect. In the early years of our marriage, as our families were learning to relate to new in-laws, it seemed sometimes when we were together someone would say something that landed wrong. Feelings would get hurt, and intentions would be misinterpreted. We knew everyone meant well, but we all had different perspectives or ways we had done things before. 

I remember a specific car ride one Sunday afternoon many years ago. My wife and I were talking about a frustration and hurt over a family situation. We realized there was going to be a day our five children would be grown and have families of their own. How would they relate to us one day? Could it be determined by the way we modeled it to our parents? We decided that day that no one would receive more grace and honor than our families, and it changed everything for us. 

So what does it look like to steward your family? I believe it begins with honor. When you observe a family that is unified and full of love, you will notice that they honor each other. To honor means to revere, prize, and value. Honor isn’t something that is merely earned but has more to do with position. I honor my family because God has entrusted them to me. 

Honor begins with your parents, no matter what age you are. If you look at today’s verse (Exodus 20:12), you’ll see it’s so important to God that He lists it as the only commandment with a promise. But why honor them first? Parents are the head and focal point of a family. If the parents are honored, it will flow down to the rest of the family. And the Holy Spirit loves to move in an atmosphere of honor. Just look at Ephesians 4:29–30 (ESV): 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

This passage gives instruction on how we should speak to each other to create and foster an atmosphere of honor. Next, it speaks to an emotion of the Holy Spirit. Do you realize your words make room for the Holy Spirit to move in your family? What kinds of words are you speaking and allowing to be spoken in your home? 

Maybe your family is hurting today and not walking in unity. You may not even be talking. I want to encourage you to entrust them to the Lord. How do you do that? Give the Lord your attitudes, actions, and words concerning your family. If you want to steward your family well, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the ability to honor them.

PRAYER  
Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, we thank You for the family You have entrusted to us. We give You our attitudes, our actions, and our words today. Holy Spirit, help me to honor them today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. PSALM 24:1 (NLT)