Honor

Recently I saw a movie that almost broke my heart, but the writer left me with a message I will not forget. A young boy was battling a rare, aggressive brain cancer, and he was losing the fight. HIs body was not responding to the prescribed treatments.

At one point, this boy was tormented by a classmate. He was viciously teased about being bald, and his eyebrows were starting to disappear. His best friend, who happened to be a girl, took him to chat with her beloved grandfather. When the children told him about the hatefulness, he said, "They are teasing you because they are jealous." The kids looked at him dumbfounded.

The grandfather continued, "They are jealous because you are the famous one, chosen by God for the honor of being one of His warriors. You are riding forth victoriously in truth, humility, and righteousness. People look at their lives as they observe your courage and strength. Warriors point these lost ones to God."

I honestly do not know if that is why God allows our world and our precious ones to be stricken with chronic or terminal illnesses, but I do know that He uses us in so many different ways. If our trials and tragedies point others to our Savior, I do think He is certainly being honored.

Honor is the highest respect we can offer, and such praise involves public esteem of another person and his or her reputation. Genesis 45:13 says, "Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly."

Joseph wants his father to hear about and to even see all the honor that has been accorded him in Egypt for his wealth, riches, grandeur, dignity, power, and authority. Joseph's house was magnificent with all of its servants. His majestic chariot was second only to the king. He had been given authority over the people, and they reverenced him. He had power, particularly over the distribution of corn.

According to Matthew Henry, Joseph "desires that his father may speedily be made glad with the tidings of his life and dignity. He knew it would be a refreshing oil to his hoary head and a sovereign cordial to his spirits. If anything would make him young again, this would. He is very earnest that his father and all his family should come to Egypt."

In Exodus 12:42 we are told, "Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt, on this night all the Israelites are to keep vigil to honor the LORD for the generations to come."

Matthew Henry says, "Memorable was the destruction of the Egyptians, and the deliverance of the Israelites by it. That remarkable night was to be celebrated in all generations."

God's power, wisdom, goodness, truth, and faithfulness are plainly displayed to the Israelites, and to us through His Word.

No one exists who is more worthy of our honor, praise, or respect than God Almighty. He deserves fame and glory from us, His created beings. The great things God has done for His people and continues to do for His people are not to be remembered for just a fleeting moment, but remembrance of His deeds and who He is, should be perpetuated throughout all the ages, especially His redemptive work through Christ Jesus!

Shall we not commit anew to celebrating Him? Shall we not give Him the honor, praise, glory, and reverence that only He deserves?

Heavenly Father,
No one, and I mean no one, deserves the honor you do. May I never take you for granted! May I never place my respect and praise with another person or idol. You are my Creator, my Sustainer, and my Redeemer, and only you deserve glory. May I celebrate you anew every day! Amen.