Father's Day and Mother's Day are two special days set aside to honor our parents. But in reality, our parents should be honored every day. Several times we read in the Bible that we are to honor our parents. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3) If you have grown up in a home where God was really first, you are blessed and you should continually be thankful for this. Mothers and Fathers who are obedient to the Lord and who build a Christian home are special. There is a little known hymn, "A Christian Home" that is a prayer for homes built upon the Saviour. It has generally been forgotten in churches today but should be brought back as a challenge and reminder. The words were written by Barbara B. Hart in 1965. I have been unable to find anything about her except that she was born in 1916. The music score was originally composed by the Finish composer Jean Sibelius. "Children are a heritage from the LORD" (Psalm 127:3). And the home is to provide an atmosphere of loving acceptance and care, where parents diligently "train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6). This hymn is a prayer for Christian husbands and wives to express the kind of commitment Joshua did, long ago, when he said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). The Bible warns, "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it" (Psalm 127:1). There is really nothing that I could add to the words of this hymn. They are self explanatory. This should be the desire of every parent. If you have grown up in such a home, thank the Lord for it. If you are a parent, make this the prayer and goal for your home. If this has not been the goal for your home, then start today to honor the Lord, even if your children are already grown and out of your home. It is never too late to start. And, by the way, if your parents are still alive, give them a call today and show your love and honor for them. And meditate upon the words of this prayer this week.
O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour,
Where Christ is Head, and Counselor and Guide;
Where ev'ry child is taught His love and favor
And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified:
How sweet to know that tho' his footsteps waver
His faithful Lord is walking by his side!
O give us homes with godly fathers, mothers,
Who always place their hope and trust in Him;
Whose tender patience turmoil never bothers,
Whose calm and courage trouble cannot dim;
A home where each finds joy in serving others,
And love still shines, tho' days be dark and grim.
O give us homes where Christ is Lord and Master,
The Bible read, the precious hymns still sung;
Where prayer comes first in peace or in disaster,
And praise is natural speech to ev'ry tongue;
Where mountains move before a faith that's vaster,
And Christ sufficient is for old and young.
O Lord, our God, our homes are Thine forever!
We trust to Thee their problems, toil, and care;
Their bonds of love no enemy can sever
If Thou art always Lord and Master there:
Be Thou the center of our least endeavor:
Be Thou our Guest, our hearts and homes to share.
You can listen to it here. LISTEN
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