Day 20
Ephesians 6:3 NIV
"That it may go well with you and that you may enjoy life long on earth."
This promise was spoken with a commandment, which indicated it was a benefit. It was something desirable that God would make sure we enjoyed if the conditions were met. Without looking to see what the commandment is, we can just look at the fact that God desires life to go well with us and for us to enjoy long life. If that was not His desire, He could not have offered it to us.
More than giving us a way to experience a good long life, God was telling us a way already designed to produce it. When the commandment was given to honor parents, it was given to God's people, who were told to pass their godly heritage on to their children. When the parents were honored, the godly family could be preserved, and the godly heritage could be passed on along with a godly lifestyle that would tend to life. Even as we grow older, honoring our parents in a way that is possible and appropriate should be a natural outcome of a Christ-like character and the fruit of the spirit. So, it is a spiritual indicator to help us as we examine the quality of our spiritual lives. Even though we may be past the age of obeying our parents, we never outgrow the need to show respect and gratitude wherever and whenever possible.
The main point for this meditation, however, is not as much honoring parents as it is affirming God's desire for us to have a good long life. Whether it is honoring our parents, or observing any other command given us, we want to be certain about what God wants for us and cooperate with Him to see His desire fulfilled in us.
I will cooperate with God and receive what He wants me to have - a good long life.