June 18th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

KEEPING THE FAMILY UNIT IN HARMONY

Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”   

In His design of this world, God created a gigantic solar system to the smallest atom all of which function in harmony with one another. In His creative wisdom God formed Adam from the dust of the earth and Eve from Adam’s rib. God created not only human beings, but also the institution of marriage and the family unit.   

Today’s devotional verse addresses the harmony that God desires to exist in the family unit as He did in His universe. It mentions parents and their children. It speaks of children obeying and honoring their parents. The Greek word for honor means to give high status and respect. As the earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun in its God ordained orbit for it to be neither too hot nor too cold, for seasons to come and go and life sustained so the family unit revolves around the order that God originally created where parents raise their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) and children “obey” and “honor” their parents in the Lord for the family unit to remain healthy and strong. 

Whether you have raised your children or are currently doing so, for the sake of society and harmony within the human race today’s word from our God tells us how important it is for parents and children to respect and honor the relationship God has put in place within the family unit.   

Grandparents are to encourage and support their sons and daughters in the raising of their children. At the same time, they are to encourage and support their grandchildren in honoring and respecting their parents. Parents likewise have a God given role in requiring respect and obedience from their children, teaching them to respect all who God has placed in authority over them. As Luther wrote in his explanation to the fourth commandment “for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide and direct parents to raise their children in a way so they know God’s design of the family unit and instill in their family the honor and respect God desires children and parents to have for one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Lord Jesus Christ, the children’s friend,
To each of them Your presence send;
Call them by name and keep them true
In loving faith, dear Lord, to You. 

In Christian homes, Lord, let them be
Your blessing to their family;
Let Christian schools Your work extend
In living truth as You intend. 

That caring parents, gracious Lord,
And faithful teachers find reward
In leading these, to whom You call,
To find in Christ their all in all. 

For by Your Word we clearly see
That we have sinned continually;
But show us too, forgiving Lord,
Your saving Gospel’s great reward. 

That all of us, Your children dear,
By Christ redeemed, may Christ revere;
Lead us in joy that all we do
Will witness to our love for You. 

Then guard and keep us to the end,
Secure in You, our gracious friend,
That in Your heav’nly family
We sing Your praise eternally.  (LSB 866)