Pass It Down
We will 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.
Psalm 78:4 NKJV
“Single minded.” Many times I have heard this accusation. When I have one thing that I am working on or thinking about – all else takes a back seat.
This can be dangerous because people like me tend to forget that the oven is on or that the kids need to be picked up (I actually only did that once or twice as my kids were growing up).
The “up” side is that whatever we do, we are “all in” in the moment. We choose to think about the future later.
Recently, as I heard Psalm 78 being read, I was reminded just how important, as Christians, it is to think about the future now. In verses 1-4 Asaph says that he will utter “dark sayings of old” that were handed down by their fathers and would not withhold these things from the children, “Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done…”
In verses 5-6 he says this was a command from God and includes children “who would be born.”
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, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children…”
Then he tells us why in Psalm 78:7:
That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments.
We live in a busy culture. Mothers and fathers have so many irons in the fire that teaching their own children to keep God’s commandments has become something rarely done. So few others are trying; it’s hard to find examples to point to. When we look at these verses and many more in the scriptures that give us an understanding of God’s future-oriented, long-term view of the family, we see a responsibility for every family to assume: the responsibility of passing down the truths of our faith so future generations will hear them, too.
If we are busy or we claim that our minds don’t work that way we are being “single–minded.” We are disobeying this law of God to teach the next generation. (Deuteronomy 6:6-8). A vital part of our teaching is emphasizing the requirement to do the same. Our children should not just learn the faith, they must be taught to teach it.
By God’s grace, He is growing His Kingdom one person at a time as He reveals Himself to more people. With these new believers comes a responsibility in the Church to disciple them so that He can use them to grow His kingdom by adding their children.
They cannot teach what they do not know. We could be believers for a long time before we hear from our pulpits this command to teach our children. Some may never hear it.
Ladies, I know we are busy but we also have a command to teach the younger women (Titus 2:3-5). What could be removed from your schedule so you have time to teach another woman to teach the next generation so they can teach the one that has not yet been born?
Right on, as always!! Hope you’re enjoying the summer!
Thanks Sharon! I appreciate the encouragement.
Summer is good, thanks.
Great post, Beth! We need to always be bringing our schedules before the Lord to make sure we are where he wants us to be. I find I need to frequently check to make sure my priorities are aligned with His. In my season, I don’t currently have a lot of mentoring going on outside fo my relationship with each of my sons. But, when He brings a woman across my path, I do my best to be available and sensitive to His promptings.
Share God’s Word with others. Make time and take time to pass on His Word. There is always time to share God’s love.
“Make time and take time to pass on His Word.” I may borrow that, Melissa!
Jeanne, I do believe that we have seasons of life (I think the Lord told me that! ;>) but it is HUGE that you are willing to be “available and sensitive to His promptings!” Faithfulness is what He is looking for in us.
Amen! I pray I did well to pass on my faith to my daughter; it’s difficult because she wrestles with a lot of anger following my divorce from her father. I love how you point out that single mindedness can be a good thing; that is one thing I pray for. Thank you for this message!
Yes, chasing after the “good” often means neglecting the “best.”
Oh, yes, Beth! One thing I noticed about Psalm 78 is how it goes on to tell us God’s people forgot His works many times, even all His many wonders during their journey to the Promised Land. “They remembered,” then they forgot. And we often do the same. So it’s of upmost importance to remind our own hearts, and to establish a testimony to the younger women and the next generations of both God’s Word/commands AND His works in His people’s lives…including ours. This no doubt leads to praising His mighty name!
Awesome words of wisdom. What we accomplish for God is not the most important thing. We cannot forget we are part of a full body of Christ. When we raise up others (our kids, our parents, our neighbors and friends) and bring them along in our faith journey, we all do more for God’s Kingdom together.
Oh Candice, I pray your daughter will find her peace and rest in our LORD!
Ava, This is so true! Godly priorities can be confusing because there is so much to do. Determining which ones God has for us is a constant matter for prayer.
Karen, You are right! I often think that humankind remains the same. We are the Israelites – just raised in a different culture! We forget so easily! I pray we will obey this command to “tell to the coming generations” what God has done – for them and for us!
So often the urgent pushes away the important. Thanks for a great reminder to keep the important at the forefront! God bless!
Thanks Jessica, More women (especially) need that understanding that what we do at home is a huge part of what we accomplish for God.
Yes, Nancy, I am trying to consciously decide what is “urgent” to me and what is “important” – before God!