Devotional

Honoring God

 There are times when we feel we are doing everything within our ability to honor God. We attend the house of God each time the doors open, we serve on the worship team, in the choir, in greeting, hospitality, or children’s department. We live our faith outside of the house of God, as we move around our community. We speak the correct antidotes when an opportunity arises to impart into the lives of others, but are we honoring God or is there a residue of pretense that has invaded our lives? What do I mean? Let me explain.

Holy Bible ~ Photographer: R K Spradlin (2019)

First Samuel 2:30 records; “Wherefore the LORD God of Israel said, I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before Me forever; but now the LORD says, Be it far from Me; for them who honor Me, I will honor, and they who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (KJV).

These words were spoken to Eli, Israel’s resident high priest. If you read the previous passages, you will find Eli was old. He had reached a place of complacency. There was a degree of pretention in Eli’s household. His sons were not living righteous lives. They were profaning the house of God by engaging in sexual immorality in the tabernacle. God’s instruction for the priesthood was to live a consecrated life (Exodus 30:30, KJV). According to the Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionary consecrate (#H6942) is defined as to be or make clean (ceremonially or morally), appoint, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, (be, keep) holy, keep, prepare, purify, sanctify wholly. Their position was one of prominence and privilege, but the greater impact was a place of presence and power. They were not honoring God. They had forsaken His instruction, His word.

The young men were responsible for the sin they were engaged in, but the greater problem was the parental problem. What does the Scripture say? Eli heard of what his sons were doing, he questioned them, but they did not regard their fathers’ instruction. They did not honor him, so it is logical they would not honor God. Eli did not remove them from their position either. God spoke the judgment to Eli, the priest, the head of his family. What was the judgment tied to? Honoring God. Despising Gods instruction is evident. Eli allowing his sons to rebel against Gods word brought judgment. Verses 31 – 34 pronounce the fulfillment of the judgment that ended in death. (The wages of sin are death, Romans 6:23, KJV.)

Holy Bible ~  Photographer: R K Spradlin (2019)

What does this have to do with us? How often do we receive instruction from the LORD and we are careless with what He says? We allow the words to fall to the ground unheeded? We might think we do not participate in this, but I would differ with you. Recently I have repented for hearing instructions from God, writing them down, but pursuing them no further. The passages above moved my heart to change. I have dishonored God by not reverencing what He instructed enough to do them. When the LORD gives instruction, He has a plan in mind. That plan is for our benefit. He wants to bless His children. His plan is far above any plan we construct. When God speaks, He intends for us to hear and obey. When we do, we are honoring Him. As long as we continue participating in obedience, we can look forward to and expect Him to honor us. As ever, RKS.