Saturday July 10, 2021

Today’s Reading: Psalm 78:1-20

so that a future generation- children yet to be born-might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God’s works, but keep His commandments. 

Psalm 78:6-7

Reflection: A faith-filled generation can only develop by knowledge of a faithful God. Only by hearing and obeying the LORD, only by remembering His Works does a generation learn to put their trust in Him. From the time that God established His Law in Israel, He commanded His people to not only observe it, but also to think about it constantly, to talk about it constantly with others, and to teach the Law to their children. This was in order that the relationship between God and His people would carry on through generations, that the people would not forget the LORD their God but would remember Him and remain trusting in all that He has done.

What would happen if the people forgot about the LORD? Well, we see in the story of Israel that in failing to keep His Covenant and refusing to live by His Law, the people would in turn give in to their own sinful ways and become vulnerable to the strength of other nations. By rejecting their Covenant with God, Israel would experience life without the blessings of His Hand and the benefits of His protection upon them. By choosing to live without God, they would indeed know life without Him. The choices of Israel would not stay within the lifetime of each generation, but would continue through the ages and affect their children and their children’s children. Over time, the people would not even know of God’s Law. They would become deaf to His calling and numb to His direction. They would go astray and become lost. This is why the LORD demands the people’s faithfulness from the beginning, for He knows the tragedy that is in store for generations who are not raised by His statutes.

As believers in Christ, it is not enough for us to live our own lives of faith in the LORD. We must also share the knowledge of the LORD with the generations that follow us. The love for God we exhibit with all of our heart, soul, and strength must overflow into the lives of others.

Prayer: LORD, while the world is ever-changing, You stay the same from age to age. You are constant, faithful, true. Thank You for always keeping Your promises, for speaking to and working through Your people who seek You. Thank You for exhibiting Your everlasting love. As I live for You, LORD, help me to be mindful of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to be mindful of those who will live on in the Church after my time on earth is done. Teach me to share what I know about You with others, that generations after me would know and remember You. I pray these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

Bible-in-a-Year Reading Plan (credit: Bible, studytools.com): John 12:27-50; 2 Chronicles 16-17; Psalm 78:1-20