When we think about fathers, we first consider God, our Heavenly Father. He has provided a place for us to live – our beautiful earth. He is the Creator of all things and without Him, humankind wouldn’t exist. Therefore, we are thankful to God and honor Him. To honor means to have deep respect. This is a good place to start when we think about our earthly dads.
Most dads give their children a place to live and provide for them, too. When we are young, we often tend to be a bit selfish, so we might not notice how hard our fathers work and how much they do for us. Noticing and expressing appreciation is the first step to honoring our dads.
In Deuteronomy (5:16), God gives us the commandment to honor our father and mother. Following God’s instructions honors God as well.
Dads are pretty wise. We may not recognize it when we are young, but fathers know a lot of things. They’ve had a lot more experiences than you’ve had, so it’s important to listen to what they have to say. Proverbs (1:8.9, NASB) says, “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not ignore your mother’s teaching; for they are a graceful wreath for your head and necklaces for your neck.” We gain wisdom when we listen to our parents.
Just like everyone, fathers are not perfect. They make mistakes, too. Even the Bible is aware of this and gives instructions to fathers. Ephesians (6:4 NLT) says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
You are a blessing to your dad! Proverbs (23:24 NLT) says, “The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.” You can honor your dad by following his rules, helping before you are asked, listening to his advice, and saying “thank you” often!
So, why should we honor our fathers? Because it is a God-honoring thing to do, and the Bible explains how we gain wisdom when we listen to his instruction. Dads know a lot more than you might think – so let’s listen up and remember to say “thank you” for all of their help and support!
This video is from Christian Questions Podcast. For more information please go to https://christianquestions.com