“Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other people in your place and other nations in exchange for your life.” – Isaiah 43:4, NASB 

In the King James version, the word ‘honourable’ is used instead of ‘honoured’ in the above verse. 

Frankly, it took me a while to understand why our Members of Parliament carry the title ‘Honourable.‘ 

The way I understood it, someone should be deserving of that title. Why address someone as ‘honourable’ when their conduct or behavior is not?

But according to Parliamentary etiquette, the title of ‘Honourable’ is a reflection of the honour and responsibility of the office and role of a Member of Parliament.

Mark that; it’s the office not the person in the office. 

Many people struggle in the area of making a difference between the officer and the role or the office.

Ideally, the person in the office should measure up to the honour of the office. However, the reality is sometimes different.

It was interesting for me to learn that in the military, the junior officer salutes the pips or the rank and not the person holding the rank.

The junior officer might have little or no respect for the senior officer as a person, but he’ll have to salute in honour of the rank.

In our meditation today, God says of Israel that it was a “precious” nation that He loved and honoured; “it was an honourable nation.”

If God holds the Church in honour because of Christ, there should be no excuse for us not to do the same to others because of their office or roles – irrespective of whether they deserve it or not.

But was the nation of Israel really deserving of such a description, given its history of backsliding, idolatry and rebellion against God?

Well, most definitely not, if you look at it from the human point of view. However, God’s perspective is different from that of people.

The Good News Bible says; “…you are precious to me and I love you and give you honour.”

God honours you because of the office you hold and the responsibility that you carry in the world.

Do you really deserve the honour? Maybe not, but God still honours you anyway, because of your position as a co-heir with Christ.

The Bible admonishes that for the people of God, honouring others should be a way of life.

Romans 12:10 says; “Outdo one another in showing honor.” That implies that honour or dishonour is “shown” through action, which means that it’s in your power to do it or not do it.

The Bible says there are people that we should “hold in honour” because of their office or role in society.

Some of these include our parents (Exodus 20:12), national leaders (1Peter 2:17), spiritual leaders (1 Timothy 5:17), and generally everyone else “to whom honour is due.”

Personally, I believe that no person is deserving of dishonor, even when they sometimes need to be corrected, criticised and reproved.

Finally, 1 Peter 3:7 says; “you husbands must give honor to your wives.”

My understanding of ‘giving honour to the wife’ is ensuring that other people don’t despise or look down on her, even when it is by her own doing.

As the Bride of Christ, you’re honoured by God, but are we imitating God in our attitude to honouring others, including those who are lower than us in status?

If God holds the Church in honour because of Christ, there should be no excuse for us not to do the same to others because of their office or roles – irrespective of whether they deserve it or not.

We’re honorable to the extent that we hold others in honour.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you honour me, regardless of all my shortcomings. Help me to outdo everyone else in showing honour not only to those to whom honour is due but also to everyone who crosses my path.  For the glory of your Name, Amen!