The Fourth Commandment

“Honor your father and your mother.”

This commandment sounds simple—especially if we hear it as something meant for children.

But it’s much bigger than that.

This commandment is the foundation for all earthly authority. Parents have the ultimate authority over their children, but they share their authority for the benefit of their children and themselves, whether that benefit is their child’s education, safety, provision, spiritual formation, etc. It includes parents, leaders, teachers, and others God places over us. It speaks to how God orders life in the world.

And that’s where it can get uncomfortable.

Because authority is not always easy to honor. Sometimes it feels inconvenient or unfair. Sometimes it is actually misused or broken.

So, what is God doing with this commandment?

He is showing us how He works.

God does not usually deal with us directly in visible ways. Instead, He works through people. Through parents who care for their children. Through leaders who maintain order. Through ordinary, everyday roles that keep life going.

Sometimes we refer to this as God acting behind a mask. We see parents providing for their child, but God is at work through the parents. We see a police office protecting people, but God is at work protecting and providing order.
Authority is meant to be a gift. A way God provides, protects, and guides.

But like everything else in a fallen world, it doesn’t always function the way it should. Parents fail. Leaders disappoint. Authority can be neglected or abused.

That’s a tension of this commandment.

God calls us to honor authority—not because every authority figure is perfect, but because He is at work through these structures, even when they are imperfect.

And at the same time, Scripture is clear that all authority is under God. When human authority contradicts God’s Word, we listen to God first.

So this commandment calls for wisdom.

• Respect, even when it’s difficult.
• Patience, even when it’s frustrating.
• Trust, not in people—but in God working through them.

And it also calls us to reflect on our own roles.

Because most of us are not just under authority—we are in authority in some way. In families, at work, in the church, or in the community.

This commandment speaks both directions. How we respond. And how we lead.

Which brings us to Jesus.

He honored authority perfectly—even when it led Him to the cross. He submitted to earthly rulers, to His parents, and ultimately to His Father’s will. Think about that again. The God of the universe, who created all things and all people, became a man and submitted to his parents (whom He formed) and earthly rulers (whom He set in place).

And He did it for you.

For all the times we resist, resent, or misuse authority.
In Him, there is forgiveness.

And in Him, there is a new way to live.

Let’s pray…

Lord God,

Thank You for the authorities You have placed in my life. Forgive me for the times I have resisted or disrespected them. Give me wisdom to honor rightly, and help me to trust that You are at work, even through imperfect people. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.