HONOR GOD AND HE WILL HONOR YOU

 

Thursday, August 4, 2022

 

HONOR GOD AND HE WILL HONOR YOU

 

Text: First Samuel Chapter 2

 

1 Sam 2:27-30

27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him …

30 …them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

KJV

 

          It was necessary to truncate this section of scripture and focus on one principle which we should apply to our way of life. That principle is simply stated in verse thirty. There is a response and reward in kind for those who honor God.

 

          The man of God [an unknown and unnamed prophet] comes to Eli the priest and scolds him for disrespecting the offerings, sacrifices, and God Himself. The word “kick” in the KJV verse 29 means to trample underfoot. This is how God viewed the disrespectful manner in which Eli conducted his high office.

 

          God was about to replace Eli with young Samuel. You may remember that Samuel was the son born to “barren” Hannah who dedicated Samuel to the service of God in the Temple. Eli’s sons would die in battle and the ark of the covenant would fall into the hands of the enemy. When Eli heard that the ark had been lost, he fell from his chair and died. That is the background, but what of the principle?

 

          The principle is a simple one that is easily understood and often ignored. The word “honor” is the Hebrew word kabad [kaw-bade’] and literally means “to make heavy or to make weighty.” The idea is to add glory or honor. In Texas, it is called “what goes around, comes around.”

 

          We honor God because He is worthy of it and not because we seek a like response and reward. Nevertheless, the principle is as sure as Newton’s third law. Every action has a reaction. They that honor God will be honored.

 

Rev 5:12

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

 

Lord, let me honor you today because you are worthy. AMEN