God connects the honoring of parents directly to “living long in the land.” This isn’t just a guarantee of an individual’s long life, but a blueprint for cultural longevity. A society that cuts ties with its past and disrespects its elders lacks the stability to endure.
Those of us who are citizens of the U.S.A. are blessed of God to have lived in a country that is celebrating our 250th birthday. The founders of our country were not perfect, just as the succeeding generations of leaders have had their flaws. But for most of my life, we have honored those who have gone before us and learned from their wisdom and neglect.
However, in recent years, we have been disrespectful and dishonoring of them because some enslaved people and others had world views different from ours today. Whether or not they were worthy of our respect, they paved the way to where we are today. But if we dishonor and cut our ties with them, we will also dishonor God who gave them to us, and we will not endure as a nation.
Affirmation:
I will honor the founders of our nation and the succeeding leaders, whether or not I agree with their values and political views.