DCLM Sincere Milk 15 May 2022 — Give respect to elders
DCLM Sincere Milk 15 May 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Give respect to elders
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TOPIC: GIVE RESPECT TO ELDERS
BIBLE TEXT: 2 KINGS 2:23-25
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
25 And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria.
KEY VERSE: “And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head” (2 Kings 2:23).
MESSAGE:
Respect refers to the polite way a person regards and treats others, both old and young. Our Bible passage tells us about some children who made jest and laughed at a man of God because he had bald head. He was not happy about it, and pronounced a curse on them.
There are children who engage in mimicking elders in a negative way. This could be their teachers at school and church, their pastors and even their parents. Others call them bad names and make fun of them. It is a very serious offence to God and to elders when children who are supposed to be respectful and responsible make jest of their teachers and adults at school, in church or in their neighbourhood.
In the Bible, God commands children to obey and honour their parents. It is not their biological parents only, but also those who play the role of parents in their lives or are old enough to be their parents. You must stop all disrespectful attitudes and pray for God’s forgiveness. As a child of God, learn from the bitter end of the forty-two children and do not make jest of people because of their condition so that the judgment of God will not come on you.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to give attention to Your command to show respect to my parents and elders.
FURTHER READING: 1 Peter 5:5
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
