Whether you are a teen or an adult, have you looked at society at large and wondered (or even said aloud), “What’s the matter with youth today?” Though wrong behavior should not be excused, does the blame rest only with youth? Is there not plenty of blame to spread around? Can we see how a delinquency among adults (not providing the proper example, guidance, or support needed) has led to delinquency among youth? As we look at the younger generation, we also need to take a look at the previous one.
After the nation of Israel was led into the promised land under the leadership of Joshua and had settled into their inheritance, at the age of 110, Joshua died. In Judges we read that the people continued to serve the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua. (Judges 2:7) However, we then read. . .
“(10) And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” (Judges 2:10 ESV)
The story of God had not been passed on to become and remain a part of that generation’s story! Thus began a recurring cycle of abandoning God and doing evil until God — out of pity over the ill treatment by their enemies — would raise up a judge to save them, only for the people to eventually turn away again. (Judges 2:16-19) This reveals what can happen within a generation when the previous generation has not remained properly engaged on behalf of the next.
Today I need to look at this from the standpoint of where am I in the picture and what am I doing? Am I encouraging? Am I supporting? Am I upholding the truth of God’s work and will by the example of my life and the instruction I provide?
Let us each be duly struck by how soon mindfulness of God can drop from the picture. May we not be delinquent in our role of keeping God’s story in the mind of subsequent generations for His glory and their sake!
Have a great day CONNECTING OTHERS TO GOD’S CONTINUING STORY!
Carl
