DEVOTION / From generation to generation
Recently I took a trip back in time. I was blessed to attend Thanksgiving worship at my home church. It was a beautiful service — wonderful hymns and a powerful Scripture message. It reminded me how much I had to be thankful for.
Thankful Memories
Looking around that familiar church, it was easy to feel at home. What great things God had done for me through this place of worship and its faithful leaders! I reflected back to my baptism, my confirmation, my wedding, my Christian friends, and so much more.
As I glanced around, I noted the pews where my great-grandmother and my grandparents traditionally sat, where my family always sat, where my aunts and uncles sat.
So many blessings from the Lord!
God's Generations
The words of Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:50 came to mind: His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation.
That was certainly the case in our family.
My great-great-grandmother moved into town at the sudden death of her husband. The small house she was able to buy to raise her five boys was just doors down from this church. She and her boys faithfully attended. My great-grandfather built his house right next door. His family, too, attended regularly, and so God's mercy was passed on to my grandparents, my parents, and my generation.
This is as God's Word says it should be. This is what God’s adopting grace in Jesus urges us to strive for.
Psalm 78:6, So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
Psalm 79:13, Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will proclaim your praise.
Psalm 145:4, One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
A Witness to Future Generations
Now, I realize that not everyone can trace their spiritual heritage generations back.
Maybe you are a first-generation believer. Maybe none of your family's current generation takes God or faith seriously. Still, through God's grace, you can be that starting point in your family that generations in the future will point to as its spiritual leader.
The words of Ephesians 3:20-21 are a fitting closing thought and prayer: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
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316NOW's ministry is working to make this generation-to-generation progression of Christianity a reality among the Chinese people. May the Lord bless this work!