by Seth

Read: Exodus 19:16-21:21, Matthew 23:13-39, Psalm 28:1-9, Proverbs 7:1-5

Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12

Anyone who strikes father or mother must be put to death.
Exodus 21:15

Relate: I believe that I have a pretty good relationship with my parents. But every relationship has its ups and downs. When I was a young child, I slapped my dad. For context, it was at a family gathering, in front of a decent amount of people. Like Will Smith at the Oscars, 7-year-old me was annoyed at my dad over a joke and decided the only way to release my frustration was by slapping him.

According to the Law, I should have been put to death, as mentioned in Exodus 21:15. Thankfully, however, my dad eventually forgave me. But I still offended God and broke one of the Ten Commandments. In other words, by not honoring my parents, I did not honor God.

React: Of course, no one can perfectly hold the Ten Commandments. Even if you break only one, it is as if you have broken them all. But God is gracious and forgiving when we repent and turn to Him. He does not leave us to continue falling into sin again and again. Rather, He gives us His word, which if we keep close to us and store in our hearts, will help us to say no to temptation.

Respond:

Dear God,
Thank you for giving me a second chance at life through your son. Whenever I stumble, please help me to bounce back and refocus on you. Thank you for never abandoning us. In Jesus name,
Amen.

Nearly all posts in February and March have as special guest authors the Juniors from the Christian Living class at Faith Academy.