We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders. … He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born – and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Psalm 78:4-7 NLT
There’s nothing quite like the next generation. When a new child or grandchild enters the family, celebration peaks. Irrepressible smiles and guesses about whom the child most resembles make sparkling conversation easy.
In a church it’s not much different. When children are dedicated to the Lord, when a child has any reason to be on the platform or publicly presented, the whole congregation is enthused and delighted. Our hopes and aspirations are clearly connected to the next generation.
It is as God intended in our relationship with Him. The next generation should be cause for celebration and joy for His positive purpose. They are gifts given to us to steward and guide into the relationship with God for which they were created. The psalmist got it. Based on his own experience, he knew that a relationship with God was the key to life.
Knowing God is so vital to the future of the people God loves. He commanded His people to pass on the stories of who He was and how He had worked to their children, even to the children not yet born. This powerful cycle would then continue as they in turn would teach their own children who would teach their children … and on and on.
This is how the mission of God to reclaim His dearly loved creation is accomplished. One generation takes responsibility to pass the faith on to the next. As they live in connection with God Almighty and experience the joy of a close relationship with Him, they set their hope on God.
As they live in a responsible, loving relationship with the next generation, they remember His miracles and they obey His commands to share them with this generation they love. And hope in God is renewed for the present and the future.
- God, help me help the next generation set their hope on You.