Hope for Future Generations
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation…so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children….Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” Psalm 78:4,6,8 NLT
This weekend I attended a “Courageous Grandparenting” conference in Longmont at Life Bridge Church. It was well attended, inspiring and challenging.
A part of the challenge was the importance of passing faith from one generation to another. As I reviewed the verses of Psalm 78 I noticed the focus on redeeming a nation. We can observed in the Old Testament that God’s people struggled with their faithfulness and obedience and their commitment to transfer faith from generation to generation.
This is most evident when after the death of Joshua, and Israel settled in the promised land. We read, “…there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10 ESV) In the midst of a nation that had forsaken the Lord there was always a faithful remnant among the people. It was those individuals that provided a ray of hope.
What happened in one generation, may take two generations to reverse, but there is hope. How does it happen? It begins with a commitment, “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.” (Psalm 78:4 NLT) That commitment must translate into actions, “He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children.” (Psalm 78:5,6 NLT)
If the present generation of faithful followers renew the commitment that was neglected in past generations, a change can take place. This was not “new” strategy; it was doing what had been neglected in the past. Spiritual conversations, “faith talk” must become a natural part of our interaction with children and grandchildren. It is not just “the duty of the church.” Seeds planted by one generation bear fruit in the next.
There is an expected result of these actions, “So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.” (Psalm 78:7 NLT)
When this happens in the course of time, individual faith, is transferred from one family to the next, from generation to generation and “obedience” replaces “rebellion.”
“Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.” (Psalm 78:8 NLT)
I often hear of the need of a “third great awakening” That may  not occur through some great “revival” or mass spiritual renewal. It may just happen over the course to time as parents and grandparents recapture their calling and priority to be guardians and conduits of faith from one generation to the next.
Prayer for today…Â Lord, thank You for Your clear plan of a people, a nation that honors You. It is found in the faithful passing of the faith from generation to generation. May that challenge and calling be taken seriously in a growing number of families and may You strengthen and encourage those whose hearts are set on You.