We live in a culture that craves to create celebrities and be impressed by them!! We have celebrities in the body of Christ and out in the world who get a lot of attention and publicity from the crowd. However, as God’s people we are to look up and look around us to honor God and those God has placed in our lives. What a blessing for someone to know that we honor them for what they have meant in our lives!!
Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Esther 6:3
Honor: Hebrew word H3366 -price, value, preciousness, honor, splendor,
Honor is a humble recognition of someone. Mordecai was a man who saved the king’s life, and the Lord brought this to the king’s attention through the reading of the book of records. While the king was a powerful man who didn’t need to recognize anyone, he understood that he still wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for the work Mordecai had done to expose an attempt to kill him. This was something that was honorable before the king, and he desired to acknowledge Mordecai for it.
Can you think of a person who did something for you that you could not repay? Every time you think of them, you can’t help but think of them with great honor and appreciation for what they did for you. Those kinds of people remind us of our history and give us the right perspective in life. We know we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for certain individuals who gave us a chance that we wouldn’t have had otherwise. This could be a parent, a teacher, a mentor, or a friend. Jesus is one that we can’t ever repay, but we can choose to live our lives by honoring Him.
When I left Iran at the age of 15, I could not speak any foreign language. My second cousin Ramina who could speak French was just granted a visa by the United States Embassy in France. Since she knew that my Mother & I needed help with interpretation to go to a U.S. Emabassy, she extended her trip another 2-3 weeks, so she could help us out when we got there from Iran. That was a great help and a great sacrifice on her part since it cost her time and money to stay for that long in France for us. After a couple of attempts in getting a visa, I was able to receive one form U.S. Embassy in Switzerland through her help. I was also able to fly with her to the U.S. from Europe after they denied my Mom an entry to the U.S. I honor her love and sacrifice, and I am very grateful for what she did for me.
Honor is important in marriages. The scripture tells husbands to honor their wives, and it tells the wives to be submitted and respectful to their husbands. Don’t you think our marriages would look a lot different if there was honor in relationships? Honor would even change the atmosphere of the house. The children’s attitude towards the parents and each other can even be changed because they see the parents honoring each other. Honor looks at someone and considers them precious. Honor puts weight and significance on the person as well their position. In human relationships, who do you honor the most in your life? Is your spouse on top of that list?
Honor all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1Peter 2:17
Honor must be given to all men. Finally, the scripture tells us to honor all people. When we honor people, we choose to see them through God’s eyes rather than our own eyes. God created each of us in His image. He gave the task of stewardship to Adam and Eve before the fall which he didn’t take away after the fall. That means that every man/woman walking on the face of this earth has honor and dignity bestowed upon them by the creator. The honor we give someone cannot be dependent upon us liking or disliking the person, their socioeconomic status, education, beauty, talent, or benefit to us.
Honor is a long lasting attitude toward God and people. The more we walk in humility, the more we find ourselves honoring God and others because we come to appreciate and value who they are. We are able to see them through God’s eyes.
Are you a person who honors others regardless of who they are? If not, ask the Lord to show you what is hindering you in honoring others and valuing them. What is your honor dependent upon?