Next Generation

Psalm 78:1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: 3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 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: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 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 stedfast with God.
We have a responsibility to the next generation. The psalmist tells us not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.
Why should we share the Word of the Lord with the generation to come? Then they can set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments. That’s preparing them for the future, because hope looks to the future. Christians are born again unto a living hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We know that our Lord is going to return and take us home to heaven. Too many people in the younger generation are setting their hope in money, in government or in their abilities. Too many times have they been disappointed. So we share the blessing of the Lord with the next generation to help them set their hope in Him.
Second, we want the next generation to remember the works of God. How easy it is to forget what He has done for us! Yet if we keep reminding the next generation, they will remember, too. The past must not be forgotten. Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat its mistakes. It is important for us to share with our love ones when God answers our prayers.
Finally, we must share the things of the Lord with the younger generation so they will keep His commandments. The psalmist wasn’t talking about a legalistic life. He was talking about a loving obedience to the Lord. Yes, we do have a responsibility to the new generation, and we fulfill that responsibility by being a good example, by teaching, sharing and encouraging.
We are entrusted with our Christian heritage. When we share with the next generation the Word and works of God, we teach them valuable lessons about how He still works in the lives of His people. Strive to be an example that encourages the next generation to obey the Lord.