May 19, 2015 – Proverbs 23:25-26
So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy. O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways. Proverbs 23:25-26There is nothing as joyous as welcoming a new baby boy, or girl, into the home. Who can resist the appeal and innocence in the eyes of a child. It is like seeing the joy and innocence God sees in us, even as He says, “Give me your heart!” That is all God wants, is for us to choose Him over the world. Choose allegiance to Him and live. Choose allegiance to Satan and we die. Simple choice. Or is it?And God adds, “May your eyes take delight in following my ways.” Have you ever watched a child learning to roll over, stand up or walk? The determination and perseverance in his face changes to delight in learning. We learn to follow God’s way…and our delight begins in our hearts and shines with delight in our eyes.Is it any wonder that the commandment, Honor your father and mother, is given to each of us. Father and Mother are the first teachers of their children. They teach us to delight in the LORD and provide the time to persevere and learn. Why is all of this necessary? All this teaching and learning? Things will go well for us as we honor our Father and Mother. We will have a long life on the earth.There is more. As a parent, when all is done, and see that our time is not long on this earth, we are faced with what is important in life. Death does this. It clarifies things — impending death or death itself. The important thing in life that gives the most peace and comfort in leaving this earth is knowing you are leaving children and grandchildren, and beyond, that delight in worshiping the LORD our God. Children who give their hearts to God because He is first in their lives. Children whose eyes shine with the Love of God.“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3