2/24- Declaring God’s Glory in Passing the Faith On- Psalm 78:3-7

2/24- Declaring God’s Glory in Passing the Faith On- Psalm 78:3-7

I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— ³ things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. ⁴ We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. ⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our  Ancestors to teach their children, ⁶ so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. ⁷ Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. (Psalm 78:3-7)

Thoughts: The Psalmist says "I will open my mouth."  He refuses to keep his mouth shut about God. Then he moves to the first person plural- "we" have heard them- and "we" will not hide them- "we" will tell them.  This is the three step process to declaring God's glory.  1) Listen for the glory of God yourself; 2) Determine not to hide it under a bushel; 3) Tell it out.  The Psalmist notes that God has done praiseworthy- unforgettable deeds.  Such deeds elicit and call to us to trust in God.  Since God is trustworthy, we do not need to forget Him.  Rather, because God is such a loving help- He should be heard and followed.  Part of following Christ is not hiding what we know- but teaching the next generation.  He does not say that he will teach his own children, but simply the next generation.  Everyone coming up needs to hear, and everyone experiencing God needs to tell out His glory.  So in a sense- we all are missionaries to the next generation of the gospel.  The question is, "What kind of job are we doing as called missionaries of God?" 

Prayer: Help me to do all I can to play a role in spreading your love to the next generation.  

The author reading to his grandchild, Etta. 

2/23- Declaring God’s Glory in Sharing- Psalm 71:15-18

2/23- Declaring God’s Glory in Sharing- Psalm 71:15-18

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. ¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. ¹⁷ Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. ¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Thoughts: The Psalmist clearly saw his life as an opportunity to share God's love and ability to help to everyone.  He said he would tell it all day long (vs. 15), and said he would tell it all life long (vs. 18).  He saw a solemn responsibility to not let the faith die with his generation.  Too many of us have abandoned our children to unbelief refusing to talk about God lest we hurt their feelings, or interrupt their relationship with us.  But while we would tell a child no to not touching a hot stove to protect them physically- even if that child may become upset at us- we will not tell a child no to putting other things in the place of God.  We not only have not done a great job at telling the next generation the mighty acts of God- we have communicated to them it is not really that important.  So our children do not know to call on God for help.  So our grandchildren do not know where to turn when they've reached the proverbial end of their rope.  This Psalmist was so grateful to God for helping and saving him from trouble nothing would contain his declaring God's glory.  When God has helped us, we should  give Him the credit and not be ashamed to share our faith with others. 

Prayer: Today is an opportunity you have given me, O gracious God, to declare your glory.  Help me to do just that.