Living Out God’s Love - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Bible in a Year : Psalms 91-93, Romans 15:1-13

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12

Today's Scripture & Insight : Exodus 20:8-17, 20-21

Branden’s father was dying of cancer in his fifties. Wanting to help, Branden talked his parents into moving in with him so he could assist them. His dad loved the tropics but could no longer travel, so Branden got creative. He landscaped a pond behind his house, stocked it with fish, and installed a waterfall that tumbled over rocks. He trucked in three loads of beach sand, added banana trees, lights, and tiki torches, and built an awning for shade. His dad spent his last days enjoying a backyard island paradise.

Branden’s actions reflect the kind of harmony between parents and children envisioned in Exodus 20. There, God through Moses instructed the children of Israel, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12). That directive grows out of the commands to love and respect our heavenly Father (vv. 3-8) and bridges to the last five commands, which instruct us how to love and respect our fellow human beings. Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t covet (vv. 12-17).

Honoring parents might come easily for some. For others, it’s extremely difficult. There’s too much pain and distrust. Old wounds refuse to heal. We can commit them to God our Father, who understands that pain. He enables us to live in His love.

By: Tim Gustafson

Reflect & Pray
What does it mean for you to honor your parents? What obstacles might you face to do that?

Heavenly Father, show me how to honor others, especially when that seems difficult.