Our Father Knows Best Honor Him!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Devotion:

When my father told me I couldn’t walk down the street to play with a neighbor. I frowned, then stomped my foot as I exclaimed, “I’m going to stomp my foot!” which was the way I expressed anger as a child. I wanted him to know I was upset. Give me a good reason I shouldn’t.

“Why can’t I go?”

Dad said. “Because I told you no.”

Why don’t you give me the reason rather than avoiding my question?

Although I was under his care and authority, I didn’t realize that my father did not owe me an explanation and my thoughts were disrespectful.

Our Father knows best honor him and and show him respect.

A child can be defiant and disobedient without being aware of it. Even a toddler desires his way, since it is human nature to think of yourself first. So, we teach our children to be independent, but we balance that with learning to respect authority. We hope that as they mature; they understand that fathers love and want to teach and protect their children. Listening to and obeying Mom and Dad creates a safer life with fewer dangerous situations and heartaches.

My generation was fortunate; during our childhood, most fathers lived in the home. The absence of men changed the family dynamics.

The American sitcom “Father Knows Best”

In the 1950s, sitcoms honored rather than ridiculed men. The American sitcom “Father Knows Best” which began in 1954, was one of my favorite TV shows as a child and teen. It was a family series that depicted parents favorably and taught children to honor and obey God and their parents.

Increasingly, people lack respect for others and turn from Biblical truth, so rearing a child today is harder than it was in the past. Not all children have good male role models. Thus, children who listen to the world distrust and disrespect their parents. Deception abounds. Fathers must take the initiative and lead by godly example.

However, when a child obeys their father and mother, God promises that their life will be secure and long. Every Christian parent wants a prosperous, long, and God-honoring life for their children. God designed the family unit with the father as the provider and protector of the home.

Even as adults, we can have a wrong attitude. We believe we no longer resist or reject God, yet we disobey His Word without recognizing that disobedience is rebellion. We are all children that are easily led astray, so life is a continual battle between the world and God’s Spirit.

Love and Obey

If you are a member of the family of God, you are His child. His desire is for you to love and obey Him. Trust Him more and discover that His instructions are for your good. He wants only the best for you and has a plan that will fulfill your heart’s desires. His plan for all people is that the Holy Spirit transforms individuals so that others desire divine transformation. Whoever honors God and their dad glorifies God. So remember our Father knows best, honor him!

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 NIV

Prayer:

Father God, we come into your presence with thankful hearts because you are a good father that loves us. You forgive us when we behave childishly; you understand our natural tendencies. Help us live a life that honors you and teaches our children the way. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Your turn:

In what ways do you teach your children to honor their parents and Father God?