Scripture reading for June 17: Psalms 78-83
Oh how I long to see the next generations know the Lord! I am burdened for my children and grandchildren! They are living in a world that is growing increasingly cold and hostile to faith in God. Humanistic ideas and thinking permeates the school systems. Families are fragmented and many church people are luke-warm or cold in their understanding and knowledge of God and His Word. Families are so busy that they often neglect their spiritual growth to pursue work, sports, entertainment or success. Priorities are out of order and problems in our culture spiral out of control. We need to pass the torch of faith!
Asaph, the worship leader who served David, began with a plea for his people to hear his teaching and the words of his mouth. He spoke in parables and spoke things that were taught by the fathers in an age past but were now neglected. God often used stories and Jesus taught in parables. Parables are stories from common life that help us to understand spiritual truths if we have open hearts. Ears that hear do not just mean ears that pick up sound, they must comprehend.
Asaph’s plan to pass on these teachings was to teach the children by telling parables and stories to the next generation. The next generation would then, in turn, tell them to their children and repeat this process from generation to generation. (Psalm 78:4-6) The purpose of telling the stories was to encourage each generation to put their trust in the Lord. They would remember the works that the Lord had performed and would learn God’s commands in order to obey them and walk by faith.
Asaph stated that the children were not to do as the fathers had done. They heard and even experienced the stories, yet forgot God. (Psalm 78:8) They were a stubborn and rebellious generation. They did not keep God’s commands or stay loyal to Him. They saw the miracles but still sinned against God. God judged them for their rebellion. These were the stories that were to be repeated each generation.
Where are we failing today in passing the torch? Could it be that we do not teach the stories to our children? Have we as parents learned the stories and applied them in our own lives? God promises to work through the parables to bring wisdom and understanding for life and godliness!
“We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.” Psalm 78:4
Scripture reading for January 26th: Matthew 18
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Matthew 18:3-6 “And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” “
Jesus used a little child as an example of the kind of heart and spirit that each person must have to enter the kingdom of heaven. Becoming great in God’s eyes involves simple trust, like a little child. When we honor and welcome children, Jesus said we are in fact welcoming Him! This is a powerful statement that should cause us to have a high view of children.
On the contrary, Jesus warned that if anyone caused a child to sin that that person would be held to the highest accountability and stand in a place of severe judgment! Our culture today often exposes children to the most horrible sins. Child sexual abuse and sexual slavery is rampant and the use of drugs and alcohol have exposed countless children to sin and violence. Television and video games have opened the hearts of children to sin and rebellion and demon possession. This will bring terrible judgment on those called to protect and teach children the ways of God.
Observations for over-comers: Be especially aware of children in your life and pray for them. Keep a child-like attitude in your relationship with God. “We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done. . . .Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget about His deeds but would keep His commands.” (Psalm 78:4,7)