"For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God." Psalm 78:5-8
In the opening verses of Psalm 78, Asaph reminds God's people of the covenant and doctrine which God had given to their fathers and which had been passed down from generation to generation. He says, "Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us" (v.1-3).
And he tells why it was so important that God's merciful dealing with Israel be shared with future generations: "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: and might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."
This is why God commanded His people: "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" (Deut. 6:6-7; cf. 2 Tim. 3:14ff.). It is also why the apostle Paul wrote: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).
How important it is for us to continually remind our children and grandchildren of the doctrine committed unto us by God and taught to us by our parents and grandparents -- to share with them the truth revealed to us in God's Word, that God graciously called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9), that God graciously forgave all our sins and accepted us as His own dear children for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of His only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, in our stead (cf. Eph. 1:6-7)!
We share these wonderful truths with our children and grandchildren that they might place their hope in God and His mercy toward them in Christ Jesus and that they might continue in the covenant He established with them at their baptisms -- to wash away their sins for Jesus' sake and to give them a place in his everlasting kingdom -- and not harden their hearts against Him in unbelief.
We thank Thee for Thy mercy, O Lord, for granting us forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus. Enable us to remind our children and grandchildren of Your Word and Your mighty working to accomplish our salvation. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture Quoted from the King James Version of the Bible. More devotions available at www.goodshepherdrogers.org.]
Editorial on 10/08/2014