Will my grandchildren walk with Jesus? That question haunts me! In Judges 2:10-11 I read this passage: "Eventually that entire generation died and was buried. Then another generation grew up that didn't know anything of God or the work he had done for Israel. The People of Israel did evil in God's sight." (The Message) To set it in context, Israel had finally settled into the Promised Land and driven off the majority of her enemies. Joshua, the old general who led them, died. And, within one generation, they were ignorant of Who brought them into the land that flowed with milk and honey!
It's an old sociological fact called 'redeem, lift, abandon!'
Out of extreme need family or generation turns to God. They cry out to Him and He saves them from their sins, restores their heart, and gives spiritual life. What happens? They adopt a way of life that God promises will create stable homes, work ethic, and genuine community life. And, what emerges from that? Prosperity! Those once poor and enslaved by sins are free through the Spirit and live in God's blessings. Their kids know the story and continue the traditions of faith. But, their grandkids only know the 'good life,' nothing of the struggle, nothing of how God saved their grandparents' generation. The increased prosperity also loosens ties to church and commitment to spiritual disciplines. And, that third generation abandons the faith that brought them blessings! It's a cycle as old as Israel!
This passage makes me shudder: "They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God, to gods they had not known before, to new gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors had never feared. You neglected the Rock who had fathered you; you forgot the God who had given you birth. "The Lord saw this and drew back, provoked to anger by his own sons and daughters. He said, 'I will abandon them; then see what becomes of them. For they are a twisted generation, children without integrity." (Deuteronomy 32:17-20, NLT)
So, how do we keep faith alive?
"Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.
Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders." (Deuteronomy 6:4-8, NLT)
1. Love God and let it show!
2. Don't make religion just a lot of talk, really live it!
3. Keep telling the stories!
4. Make it real by putting in the context of today, not just yesterday!
5. And, pray for the Spirit's Living Water to flow from you to the next generation.
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Lord, I pray for the next generation.
Let them see a genuine faith, a real relationship, the love of God and life the Spirit in me!Lord, help me to be patient enough to learn their 'language' so I can contextualize the Gospel in a way they can comprehend.
Jesus Christ, call them. Amen!
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