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.
We live in times when children are not willing to accept correction of any sort. They compare themselves with others wanting to imitate them and are prone to compromise. It is important for us to help our children understand that God has called us to be His chosen ones who are set apart for Him. Children often choose to blend in so that they will be accepted by their peers. Parents should make sure that our children who represent Christ, maintain their modesty and self-discipline so that they do not lose their identity of who they really are. If left unchecked we will be prompting our children to go the wrong way, make wrong choices and end up with much hurt. It is the duty of every Christian parent to teach our children the ways of God and help them realize when they are really young that they belong to Christ and have been called out to live for Him.
If we want to know if our children truly love us, here is a good test. When they love us they will certainly obey us. Many parents feel so compelled to give to their children all that they ask for. What happens as a result is that children do not want to take a ‘no’ for anything. Later in life when they are encountered with situations where things don’t work out as they want them to, they are easily disheartened or discouraged. This is why as parents we need to know what to give our children and what we should refrain from giving to them.
The implicit obedience of Noah’s children
We read in Genesis 7:13,“On the very same day Noah and his sons, Shem and Ham and Japheth, and Noah's wife and the three wives of his sons with them entered the ark,” (GNB)
When the whole world lived carelessly without taking heed to God’s warning, Noah lived righteously and his sons followed in his footsteps. Noah believed God without a doubt, implicitly obeyed God’s commands to build the ark and his sons along with their wives too walked in the faith and obedience of their father. The sons and daughters in law of Noah may have been young, but they did not question Noah or doubt God’s instruction that Noah received and willingly entered the ark.
This is the kind of faith and obedience that we need to see in our children too. A faith in God that is unshakable and an obedience that is absolute.
God honored Noah
Just as God promised Eli to honor those who honor Him, God honored Noah and his family when they took that step of faith and obedience to build the ark and enter into it.
We read in Genesis 6:18,“But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you.” (ESV)
When Noah honored God with his obedience, God honored him back and established his covenant with Noah and his family. God kept Noah safe through all those months of severe floods and brought them all out to safety.
Let us as parents decide to bring up our children in the fear of the Lord. So also children too must decide to be obedient to their parents realizing that they have much experience and most of their advice is entirely for their good. These are God’s own words and promise to those who honor their parents as recorded in Deuteronomy 5:16, "'Respect your father and your mother, as I, the LORD your God, command you, so that all may go well with you and so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you.” (GNB)
Abraham and his son Isaac
We read in Genesis 15:6, “Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD was pleased with him.” (CEV)
Abraham was a man who trusted God completely and he expressed this faith by his implicit obedience to God.
In Genesis 22:2-3,“The LORD said, "Go get Isaac, your only son, the one you dearly love! Take him to the land of Moriah, and I will show you a mountain where you must sacrifice him to me on the fires of an altar." So Abraham got up early the next morning and chopped wood for the fire. He put a saddle on his donkey and left with Isaac and two servants for the place where God had told him to go.” (CEV)
The birth of Isaac for Abraham and Sarah was a miracle. Isaac was a son of promise that God made to Abraham. He was also the beloved son born in their old age. It was this son that God asked Abraham to sacrifice on the mountain that he would show him. Abraham had no questions for God, he rose early in the morning, took the wood for the sacrifice, and saddled his donkey taking Isaac and two of his servants to do exactly as God had commanded him.
Notice how, Abraham took Isaac along and Isaac went with his father without any queries raised. This was not a decision that pertained only to Abraham, but involved Isaac as well. To those who think that Isaac was a little child, let me explain to you that this was not so.
We read in Genesis 22:6, “And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.” (ESV)
Isaac was a grown young man, for Abraham took the wood and laid it on Isaac when they went up the mountain to offer their sacrifices. Abraham left his servants at the foot of the mountain and continued his journey upward with his son Isaac and Isaac had the strength of a youth to carry that wood uphill. Isaac was also well aware that they were going to make a sacrifice to the Lord. It is quite obvious that Abraham had instilled in his son, the same faith in God that Abraham exercised throughout his life.
It is one thing for us to say that we believe in God, but the real declaration of our faith is when we walk in obedience to God, just as Abraham did. There is a practice among Christian families that I observe these days. Many parents don’t feel the need to bring their children along with them when they come to church. They often give various excuses for the children not accompanying them. They all seem valid, but by so doing we are hindering our children from seeking the Lord as they should. As parents we need to encourage our children to be part of the fellowship of the church, to be on time, to bring the bible with them, to listen to the word keenly, meditate on it and walk in obedience to God’s word. It is a good practice to go to church together as a family, sit together, worship God together and bring up your children in the fear of God from a young age. Parents may be good believers in the Lord, but is important that we teach our children to follow the Lord just as you do and walk in obedience to Him. If we fail in this aspect, we can be certain that we are dishonoring the Lord.
Abraham willingly laid Isaac on the altar
We read in Genesis 22:9, “When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.” (GNB)
As they journeyed towards the place to offer the sacrifice, Isaac inquired of Abraham as to where the animal for the sacrifice was. Abraham told his son that God Himself would provide the lamb for the sacrifice. On reaching the place that God showed Abraham, Abraham built the altar and placed his son Isaac on that altar and tied him up to be sacrificed just as God had commanded him to.
Just imagine a young man being laid on the altar to be sacrificed by his own father. Isaac must have had so much of love and faith on his father that he willingly offered himself up with no questions whatsoever. He submitted to his father Abraham in total obedience and reverence. Isaac was also obedient because He too trusted in God, just as his father Abraham did.
Be watchful in the way you bring up your children from when they are very young. Instill in them the faith and let them grow in the love and knowledge of God. The days ahead of them are evil,and if our children need to stand firm in their faith, it is our responsibility as parents to teach them all about God and His word from when they are really little.
Joseph and Jesus
Another great example is that of Jesus himself who was so obedient to his earthly parents. Often we read in the Gospels that Jesus was referred to as the son of the carpenter, Joseph. Until the time appointed for Jesus, he was obedient to His earthly parents.
If Jesus who was the Son of God was obedient to His earthly parents, how much more should we be to the parents whom God has graciously given to us.
It is simply not enough if we believe in the Lord, but is as important that our children too believe in the Lord and walk with Him. When we fail to raise children in a godly way, we dishonor God and let us keep in mind that those who dishonor God, He will lightly esteem.
We have looked at the example of Eli who failed his children. We also studied the lives of Noah and Abraham who raised godly children. May God grant us grace and wisdom to raise a godly generation who will love the Lord, believe Him and follow Him just as we desire to follow God.
In conclusion let me remind you from Psalm 91:15, “When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” (NLT) Let us honor God in every way and thereby become recipients of the honor that God will graciously bestow on us.
Pastor F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins
