Honour is the seed for longevity, of life or friendship.— Mike Murdock
Honour is a foundational virtue, deeply ingrained in the fabric of society—shaping homes, marriages, and workplaces. It originates with God, serving as the bedrock of human relationships. Yet, this virtue seems to have eroded over time. Last week, we reflected on the intimate connection between us and God in prayer, emphasizing the Father and son relationship. Today, God poses a challenging question: If He is truly our Father, where is His honour?
Many profess God as their Father but fail to give Him the reverence He deserves. Could this lack of honour be a root cause of the stagnation, premature deaths, and missed opportunities evident in many lives? Are external influences creating a divide between us and God, and have we failed to grasp the consequences of dishonouring Him?
In Malachi 1:1-14, the prophet highlights the issues of his time: spiritual apathy, mixed marriages with pagans, unfair financial practices, and withholding tithes. These are not far removed from the challenges we see today. The priests compounded this problem by offering sacrifices that were of no value—blemished animals they wouldn’t accept themselves. Eli’s sons, too, dishonoured God by seeking the best portions of sacrifices for themselves. Astonishingly, even some unbelievers show more reverence for God than those who claim to serve Him. Could this widespread disrespect explain the absence of miracles and the silence of God’s voice for 400 years until John the Baptist?
Honour is defined as high respect, great esteem, and the quality of doing what is morally right. When it comes to God, do we truly perceive Him as our Father? If so, do we approach Him with the reverence He deserves? The fear and respect for God that were once prevalent seem to have waned. Is this because we have misunderstood grace, mistaking God’s patience for leniency?
As priests, men carry a heightened responsibility to recognise God not only as Father but as the Almighty. In the Old Testament, the priestly role involved teaching God’s laws, offering sacrifices, and tending to the sanctuary (Deuteronomy 33:10). In the New Testament, this role expands as the Church is called a "holy nation" and "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5, 9). As priests today, we are called to offer prayers, sacrifices of praise, and our very lives as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1-2).
David exemplified this priestly responsibility in 2 Samuel 24:24, refusing to offer sacrifices to God that cost him nothing. He understood that true worship involves both the heart and personal sacrifice, rooted in gratitude and reverence. Without this understanding, we risk following the path of Cain, Nadab, Abihu, or the priests in Malachi’s time, who offered dishonourable sacrifices to God.
Our role as priests and kings is a tremendous privilege, made possible through Christ’s sacrifice. Unlike in the past, where only a select few served as priests, all believers now have direct access to God. But with this privilege comes the question: Do we truly honour Him in our role as priests?
Dishonour manifests in various ways: prejudice, familiarity, slander, accusations, pride, rebellion, and ingratitude. David’s reflection in Psalm 116:12-14 reveals a heart of gratitude, asking, “What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me?”
In contrast, the people of Malachi’s time questioned God’s love, showing a lack of fear and reverence for Him.
God is not a carved idol or a talisman. Psalm 24:1-3 reminds us that everything belongs to Him, including ourselves. Deuteronomy 10:17 describes Him as the mighty, impartial, and incorruptible God of gods and Lord of lords. Hebrews 12:29 calls Him a consuming fire, unchanging through the ages. These truths demand a response of deep honour and reverence. If He is truly our Father, where is His honour?