ORNAMENT OF GRACE
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1: 8, 9).
Parents are great blessings and inexpressible assets to prudent children, especially when they are Christians. The gift of a caring father and/or a loving mother is priceless. It is far above rubies. Children who listen to the wise counsels of their parents grow to be responsible, respectful and productive in life. Parental instructions are ornaments of grace to God-fearing youths who see obedience to godly counsels as an indispensable duty. Youths who follow God’s guidance revealed in the scriptures or given to them by their godly parents have the Lord’s promise of a long life (Ephesians 6: 1).
Nothing pays any youth like obedience. Most Bible character that began to prosper from their youthful ages were obedient children who followed the godly paths of their parents. For example, Joseph was submissive to the father and was never irresponsible despite the hatred or bad behaviours of his siblings. When he was several miles away from his father in the land of Egypt, he refused to sin against God by committing immorality with the willing wife of his master. Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s meat, an action that would has been contrary to the godly counsel he had received from his parents. Timothy learned and knew the scriptures from his childhood and grew to become a great man of God (2Timothy 3: 15). Your future too is bright if you will follow the word of God and obey your parents in the Lord.
Challenge: Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be obedient to my parents.