A Light to Future Generations

 

Recently, as I have been doing my Health Rider in the morning, I have been listening to a CD by 4HIM...one of my all-time favorite groups. I just can’t get away from the songs, including the one “For Future Generations.” The line in the song “to be a light for future generations” keeps running through my head and heart, reminding me to think about my responsibility. We are grateful for the “lights” in our past who have taught us by their examples and words to love the Lord Jesus and live for Him.

 Psalm 145:4 gives us a direction: “One generation will praise Your works to another and declare Your mighty acts.”

Psalm 78:4 - “...Showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He has done...

Vs. 6 - That the generation to come might know them...who should declare them to their children

Vs. 7 - THAT THEY MIGHT SET THEIR HOPE IN GOD and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.”

These are sobering thoughts about our responsibility as adults...whether having children or grandchildren, nieces or nephews, neighbors. If we do not tell them about this mighty God, to quote the song, “Will they have the strength to stand?” In today’s culture, we all need that firm foundation of God’s Word, His might, His strength, His salvation to help us to stand when difficulties and temptations come. 

But how do we do this? How do we live as “a light for future generations”? To quote another 4Him song: “Pull back your bow, let love go, aim straight for the heart.” Brant Hanson (Christian radio): “No matter how strong the conviction or cause, love people more.”

We can’t make them believe, but we must be careful we don’t give them a reason NOT to believe. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to give us love for our family and friends and discretion to know how to live our lives as good examples and how to speak to them about the Lord. Sometimes it is just allowing the Holy Spirit to do the work that we cannot do. God does say in Nehemiah 9:20 that He gives “His good Spirit” to instruct us.

Our prayer should be for our children and grandchildren, as Moses said in Deuteronomy 5:29: “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” 

And one of my very favorite verses to pray for my family (Isaiah 41:20):

“That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this!” I always want them to know that it is the Lord Who is watching over and caring for them.

My heart’s desire is to be a “light for my future generations” so they will know and love the Lord Jesus and will pass that message on to those who will come in the future.

--Maylou Holladay