Worthy of Honor

DCC Devotionals: Worthy of Honor
By Dr. Don Vess

Scripture Focus:
“Honor your father and your mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
—Exodus 20:12 (NLT)

Devotional Thought:
Mothers are among the greatest gifts God gives us. Through them, life begins. Through them, many of us have first encountered sacrificial love, compassion, discipline, and unwavering prayer.

Yet, the command to honor our father and mother is often reduced to simple obedience in childhood. God’s intent reaches far deeper. The biblical word “honor” (Greek timaō) means to value highly, to prize, to cherish. Honor is not forced—it flows from a heart that recognizes the worth and God-given role of a parent.

Jesus Himself affirmed the importance of this command (Luke 18:20). Paul reminded us that it comes with a promise: a long and blessed life (Ephesians 6:1–3).

For some, this is easy—your mother may have been a godly, nurturing woman, like the Proverbs 31 wife: strong, wise, kind, and trustworthy. For others, honoring a parent who fell short may be more difficult. But the call remains—not because of their perfection, but because of God’s sovereign choice to use them as the vessel through which you came into the world.

Honor is also something we pass down. Wives and mothers are to be honored by husbands and children (1 Peter 3:7). As men lead their families, they are to esteem their wives as co-heirs of God’s grace. Mothers who labor in love and prayer for their families are to be cherished and praised.

Like the example of a faithful mother who prayed for her children’s salvation until her final breath, we are reminded that honoring her legacy means continuing in faith, standing in prayer, and raising future generations in the Lord.

Personal Application:
•Is there a mother, grandmother, or spiritual mother in your life whom you need to honor—either with words, actions, or forgiveness?
•Ask the Lord to show you how to esteem the mothers in your life—not only on special occasions but daily.
•If you are a mother, receive God’s affirmation that your labor is not in vain. Your quiet faith, your prayers, and your sacrifice are seen and honored by Him.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of mothers. Thank You for the command and privilege to honor them. Teach us what it truly means to honor from the heart—to cherish, prize, and esteem the ones who gave us life and shaped our faith. Help those who carry pain or disappointment to forgive, and lead all of us to love as You love. Strengthen the mothers reading this today—renew their hope and surround them with honor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.