“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4, NKJV).
Every generation has the potential to be the last generation of truth if we do not intentionally pass on our knowledge of God. If we truly believe this, then we will do everything within our power to impart biblical truth to those who follow.
One of the saddest commentaries of one generation failing another is found in Judges 2:10.
“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel” (NKJV)
Those who came out of the wilderness into the Promised Land somehow lacked the vision or the passion to pass on their knowledge of God. Verse 12 states that their children forsook the Lord and followed after the false gods of the surrounding people.
Why did they allow this to happen. What could be more valuable than for their children to serve the One True God? Did they just assume that the younger generation would absorb truth by observation alone? Were they too caught up in work and day-to-day activities to provide consistent religious instruction? Or had they grown negligent in their own walk with God and just did not care?
don’t forget
Deuteronomy 4:9 warned:
“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.”
Israel forgot to take heed; we must not allow this to happen today.
Before we can influence someone for God, “our talk must match our walk.” We may never know who is watching us from afar. Young people can easily spot hypocrisy, but if we display integrity, we can make an impact. Young people respond to those who are real.
God will provide opportunities to become a godly influence in the life of another. Discover that person’s interests. Notice any special abilities and encourage them to put these God-given talents to use. Applaud their successes and be there to support them when they makes mistakes. The interest of a caring adult will communicate love and acceptance.
our challenge
When the Spirit led Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch, he found the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Asked if he understood what he was reading, the Ethiopian replied, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” (Acts 8:31).
The important question for us is how can we guide this present generation into an understanding of biblical truth? This is the challenge we face. We must not allow our generation to become the last generation of truth.
The responsibility is ours. We must pass it on.
A Final Question:
Generation Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2024) has grown up in an era with screens and devices. Technology is just a normal part of their daily life. Social media influences how they communicate, learn, and build relationships. How will this affect the way we convey biblical truth to this generation?
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
