Honored By God Series

Psalm 91 - Study 38 - Honored by God

We read in Psalm 91:15,“When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” (ESV)

In this message we will study the last part of the above verse which talks about the fact that God not only rescues us, but He will also honor us. We will explore other passages of scripture to understand what kind of people we ought to be in order for God to bestow this honor on us.

Eli and his sons

We read in 1 Samuel 2:30, “Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” (ESV)

These are the words that God declared most emphatically to Eli who was the priest at the temple, that God honors those who honor Him. If you are wondering as to what it mean to honor God let me explain it this way; To honor God means to consider the relationship we have with God far greater than any other worldly relationship.

There was a reason why God spoke these words to Eli. Eli was the high priest in the temple and he had two sons who were also serving as priests in the temple. However, Eli’s sons disregarded God by their evil ways and treated the offerings that were made to the Lord by the people with contempt. Though Eli advised his sons, he could not discipline them and they continued in their rebellious ways that totally displeased God. God had to remind Eli that though He had promised to the house of Levi that they would serve the Lord as priests for generations to come, that this promise would not be fulfilled because of his son’s wickedness. God could not fulfill His promise simply because God will only honor those who honor him, and the ones who despise Him, He lightly esteems.

As parents if we do not know how to discipline our children when they do wrong, then we too are dishonoring God. Most often parents give much importance to their children’s academic performance and in a way this is to help them have a good future. Sadly, these same parents hardly spend time teaching their children to live a disciplined and godly life. Nowadays, many schools and colleges are conducting online classes for their students. Also, students are expected to write their exams online as well. I wonder how many parents make sure that their children are honest when they write their exams or do we compromise just so that they can secure good grades. It is our duty as parents to check on our children to see that they take their examinations seriously and with integrity, even if they are not being monitored. If they engage in any malpractice or copying, then they are for sure stealing marks that are not duly theirs. If left unchecked, parents can be certain that someday our children will steal from us and will definitely dishonor us too. Parents must be good example to their children and also discipline them when they do wrong.

All of us like to claim the promises of God for our lives, but oftentimes we fail to do all that God expects of us. There are only two groups of people in this world, one group who honor God by giving Him the topmost priority in their lives, far above every other relationship and the other group who despise Him, and go to Him only when in trouble.

One aspect of honoring God especially for those of us who are parents is to bring up our children with godly values and teaching them to lead a disciplined life. There is so much effort taken by parents to see that their children are well educated, have great careers and hold high positions in society. Nonetheless, there is a neglect when it comes to matters pertaining to their spiritual growth and godliness.

Noah and his sons

In the days of Noah as God looked down on the earth and all mankind, He observed that the entire humanity was heaped in sin and wickedness. God even regretted that He had created mankind. It was in this time that there lived Noah about whom is given this testimony.

We read in Genesis 6:9-10,“These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” (ESV)

Noah was a righteous and blameless man who walked with God in his generation. Noah was not a bachelor, but a married man living in the midst of ungodly people. He also had three sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth. Obviously, his three sons were also godly men who walked in the fear of the Lord, just like their father Noah. They displayed this faith in God by their implicit obedience to their father. Not only were they godly men, but the women they married were women of faith too.