Forty Days of Praise: God of Generations
One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:4
It always amazes me that the same God that spoke to Adam in the garden, to Moses in the burning bush, and to Paul by the roadside, is the same God that speaks to me in my little den today. Truly, our heritage is great! Aren't you thankful these men in some way passed down their God-encounters so that we may hold His truths? Think of the Bible stories that you know (Daniel in the lion's den, Job in the whirlwind, Mary Magdalene in the garden by the empty tomb). These happenings had to be spoken out loud and then divinely recorded in order for us to receive them. In light of this fact, hear these words, "We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, 'I believed it, so I said it,' we say what we believe." (2 Corinthians 4:13, Message).
What are we speaking out loud today...to our kids, to our grandkids, to the younger generation? Are we passing down the living hope, especially during this time of uncertainty? What comes out of our mouth matters. We are impressing something onto our children (mo matter their age)--again, what is it? I remember the Lord speaking to my heart about this very thing as a maturing believer as well as a mother of four young children. I heard these convicting words, "Chris, remember, what you breathe out, your children breathe in." Ouch, that stung; but, it helped redirect my heart's focus.
Instead of breathing out anxious thoughts, let's push out peaceful truths. Instead of impatient words, let's proclaim impossible wonders. Instead of harboring bitterness, let's deliver a blessing. Who can you breathe on today, in a social distancing way of course?:) However, THIS kind of breath is Life-giving, so exhale all you want! Also I want to add this about prayer: I fully believe that the words I speak even quietly to God in prayer in my home are not only "inhaled" by my two adult kids who are quarantined with me here but also they are breathed in by my other two kids who live in Orlando and in Chicago. God bears no physical bounds when it comes to speaking His name in faith.
One more thought to ponder and then possibly share in the comments is this: who passed down the good news of Jesus to you? Just like prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles in the New, they played a part in God's eternal kingdom on your behalf.
Now, it's our turn.
Soul Sisters, breathe out.
For further reading: Hebrews 13:8; Deuteronomy 11:18-22; Isaiah 59:21
God, You are the God of Generations. "You are the same yesterday, today, and forever." Therefore, the commands that You gave to Your people long ago concerning Your holy word also pertain to me today. You say in earnest, "Impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and bind them as a sign on your hand, and as frontals on your forehead. And teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. And write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates; love the Lord your God, walk in His ways, and hold fast to Him." O Lord, convict my heart to be a lover of Your life-changing truths. And then cause me to be a good steward of these holy words. Lord, make Your words be my breath and my heartbeat. May I speak of Your wonderful name all the days of my life. If I pass along anything to the next generation, O Jesus, let it be You. Yes, I will march forward with a divine purpose, resolving to hand down Your words of hope. Come, overtake my heart and permeate my home. Amen.
