[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 78
“Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds, but would keep his commands” (Psalm 78:7)
“They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts not not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant” (Psalm 78:35-37)
“Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return” (Psalm 78:38-39)
This is a long Psalm that reviewed the history of Israel – Exodus, wilderness journey and the conquest of Canaan. The purpose was to teach their children and tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders He has done.
THREE IMPORTANT THINGS TO TEACH TO THE NEXT GENERATION:
- Put their trust in God – FUTURE
- Not forget His deeds – PAST
- Keep His commands – PRESENT
PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD – HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, the unbelief of the people still existed. They had got to the edge of the Promised Land, but they hardened their hearts and refused to go in. They did not trust God to lead them. As a consequence, they had to wander in vanity for 40 years in the wilderness. That is why God wanted the next generation to set their hope in God.
Hope pertains to future. When we believe in Christ and accepted Him as our personal Savior, we have the living hope to be with God in heaven. That is why Paul said: “Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things” (Col. 3:2). Our hope should not center on money, prestige or position but on Christ Himself. If we set our hope in Christ, we can completely trust in Him without fear.
NOT FORGET HIS DEEDS – MEMORY OF THE PAST
God sent manna to feed them. He supplied them water from the rock. He used pillar of clouds to guide them by day and pillar of fire to guide them by night. He protected them from enemy’s invasion. But all these were forgotten by the Israelites. Instead, they kept on complaining. They only remembered the leeks, the onions, the garlic and the cucumbers that satisfied their stomachs. Instead of thanking His deliverance, guidance and spiritual victories, they rebelled against Him in the dessert.
It is important that we should not remember what should have forgotten and forget what we should have remembered. We should always be grateful for all the blessings that God has given us in the past and fulfill our vows to Him.
KEEP HIS COMMANDS – RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESENT
When the Israelites got into Promised Land, they provoked Him to anger with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their idols (vs. 5,8) They flattered with their mouths but lied to Him with their tongues. Their hearts were not loyal to Him . They were not faithful to His covenant. As a result, the people of Israel went into captivity.
At present, it is the duty of every Christian to keep His commands. God gave the 10 commandments in the Old Testament and His command in the New Testament is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30). Before He ascended to heaven, Christ also gave us a commision” “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age” (Mat. 28:19-20)
THINGS TO PONDER:
- Do you put your hope in God and trust your life completely into His hand for the future? Or are you setting your hope on the temporal things of this earth?
- Do you remember what God had done for you in the past? Have you forgotten all His blessings that He had bestowed upon you? Do you know to to praise and thank Him for His salvation, love, mercy, goodness and faithfulness?
- Do you obey His commands? Do you worship God in truth and spirit? Are you a good testimony to the world?
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