Worthy of Honor
By Dr. Don Vess

Mothers are very special. They are the vessel through whom all life flows. Therefore, they are worthy of honor.

One of the Ten Commandments says:
“Honor your father and your mother. Then you will

a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

In Luke 18, a religious leader asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” (Luke 18:18–20)

Growing up, I thought this meant simply to “obey your parents.” But the word goes much deeper—it says to honor them.

Honor (Grk. timaō): To consider something so

that it is held as precious, prized, cherished, treasured, and very dear.

I used to believe that just doing what I was told was enough. But it isn’t the same. We can

from a position of forced submission—or we can honor from a heart that values and cherishes the gift God has given us in our parents.

I grew up in a very large family. It wasn’t a perfect situation, and I’m sure both of my parents had their faults. But this I do know: I was loved and cared for. We never had many material goods, and sometimes meals were a bit sparse, but my precious mother could make a gourmet meal out of pintos and cornbread.

I treasure the love and care I received, especially from my mother. I was the youngest of four sons and number eight in a lineup of eleven children. I was the first in my family born in a hospital—only because the doctor couldn’t get to our house due to a snowstorm. My cousin, who had a Jeep with four-wheel drive, drove my mother to the hospital, and I was delivered at the staggering cost of $57.00 and change.

I had a very godly mother who knew Jesus, trusted Him, and was a witness to everyone who knew her. She truly embodied what it means to be worthy of honor.

We are to honor both father and mother. But Scripture also calls us to honor within marriage.
“Husbands… you must treat your wives with tenderness, viewing them as feminine partners who deserve to be honored, for they are co-heirs with you of the divine grace of life. Then nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7, TPT)

There is something powerful about being an honorable person, someone who is worthy of honor. Wives and mothers deserve the respect of their children and husbands—not just for what they do, but for who they are.

In Proverbs 31:10–31, King Lemuel describes a wife and mother of virtue:

“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can

her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him

Reveal Answer

, not harm, all the days of her life…
25 She is clothed with

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and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her

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are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully

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everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children stand and

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her. Her husband praises her:
29 ‘There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!’
30

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is deceptive, and

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does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31

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her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”

I look at this passage and say, Wow! I’ve never met a woman who could measure up to such high standards. Yet verses 26–31 perfectly describe the two most important mothers in my life: my own mother, and my beautiful wife.

I also honor the wives of my sons—who have brought us great joy and six wonderful grandchildren. And our oldest granddaughter, who has blessed us with our first great-grandson.

I know many of you would say the same about your mothers, the wives God has blessed you with, and your daughters and granddaughters who have brought joy into your lives.

Some may say, “My mother didn’t measure up,” and feel she is not worthy of honor. But Scripture does not excuse us from honoring the vessels God chose to bring us into this world. We are still to honor them so that life may go well with us.

“Children,

your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ‘Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, ‘things will go well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth.’” (Ephesians 6:1–3, NLT)

Today is the day we set aside each year to bring special honor and appreciation to mothers—our own mothers, and for husbands, the mothers of your children.
We honor you! We appreciate you! We esteem, value, treasure, and hold you very dear in our hearts.

My mother is now in heaven, awaiting the arrival of the eight of her children who are still on earth. Her prayers continue to work with the Holy Spirit to bring about their fulfillment. She had a word from the Lord that they would all be saved and join her in heaven—and she rested in that promise until the day she died. She modeled a life of faith and godliness that has inspired the entire Vess family.

Everyone who knew my mother could say of her,
“Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her… a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.” (Proverbs 31:28–30)

I thank God for all the godly women in this room. I honor you! I know many of you are still praying for your family members to come to Christ. We want to stand in agreement with you in prayer for them right now. We also want to pray a prayer of blessing over you.

So, I would like all the mothers to join us at the front. Then, I ask the men and children to stand behind them as we join together in prayer.