“My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord , his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer.”
Psalm 78:1-7, 35
One of the biggest joys in life is having kids. Losing your kids, whether due to death, estrangement, substance abuse or prolonged separation, is one of the most agonizing things in life. The ancient Israelites wanted to do all that was in their power to not lose their children. They passed their trust and beliefs in God along to them constantly, speaking of them daily and writing them down like cue cards carried on their wrists and foreheads. They educated them young and thoroughly, often paying thousands of their dollars to obtain a first-rate education for them. They built businesses with passing them along to their children in mind or at least passing a healthy inheritance along. Without spoiling them, they prepared them for adult life, but more importantly, for eternal life. This is what Psalm 78 is about!
The psalm is written by Asaph and expresses Israel’s absolute committment to pass their faith on to their descendants.
As Asaph starts, its clear the wisdom he wishes to share with the next generation was passed down to him as well. Ultimately, however, Aseph’s desire is to tell of the “praiseworthy deeds of the Lord , His power, and the wonders He has done (vs 4).” Aseph wanted his kids and and grandkids to know the trustworthy nature of God. He continues in verse 7 with, “then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” Aseph’s full expectation was to pass his faith along!
Aseph concludes with, “They (the entire nation-not just the kids) remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer (vs 35)”, and that was their goal-to build a nation, not just a family!
We, as parents, should endeavor, with all our hearts to pass our faith to our kids. We, as patriots, should evdeavor, with all our hearts to involve our faith with our nation’s politics. We, as Christains, should endeavor, with all our hearts to share our faith so that the Kingdom of God can be furthered. What’s your lifes goals and passions today?
Think about it.
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