Honor for Honor

God is not man’s debtor.  We very often think of that concept in connection with our giving of tithes and offerings.  We ought not to confine it to that area alone, however.  While it is true that God is no man’s debtor in the monetary realm, it is true in every way.  In speaking to Eli through the mouth of the man of God sent to denounce the wickedness of that High Priest who refused to address the perversity of his sons, God makes a pithy point which is worthy of our memorization and meditation.  He says, “for those that honor Me I will honor.”  Here God certifies His promise to honor those who honor Him.  He will repay that honor in full.  We ought to consider the fact that God is due His honor, and that for several reasons.  We owe Him honor as our Ruler, for He is our King in whose domain we reside.  We owe Him honor as our Judge, for it is to Him we must give account of ourselves and submit to His judgement.  We owe Him honor as our Redeemer, for He has purchased us with the precious blood of Christ.  We owe Him honor as our Father, for He has adopted us into His family, making us His heirs.

There is the fact implied here that we can honor God.  There are ways in which we can do that. We honor Him by believing Him and in Him, by obeying His Word, by loving Him, by worshipping Him, by reverencing Him.  The methods of accomplishing these things He sets forth in the Scriptures, and enables them by His Holy Spirit to perform them.  Having done all that is necessary for us to honor Him, He then goes on to honor us.  He honors us with acceptance on the merits of Christ, with guidance through His Word, with the sense of His presence, with His approval of “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” and with promotion in grace to the final estate of glory.  How much better could our situation be?  What a privilege we have, to honor the God of Grace and to be honored by Him.  Any honor we give to Him, He more than repays.  It is a wonder beyond what we could ask or think.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice