Handing your legacy to the next generation

READ PSALM 78:1-20

Psalm 78:7-8(ESV)

⁷ That they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; ⁸ and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Your story must be told. The ups and downs and the wins and losses. Share the stories freely with your children and make sure you emphasize the goodness of God through all of it. This is how we hand off our spiritual legacy to the next generation. We should not only tell the story of God's work in our lives, we should live it out.

When we think about the most important things we need to teach our children, our minds may go to education, finding a good job, or pursuing dreams. But the truth is, ALL of the conversations must center around a right relationship with Jesus. Let me just say this to parents and grandparents who read this devotion, Jesus is the most important person you could ever introduce to your children. But don't let Him just be words you say, let them SEE your relationship in action every single day. The best behaviors, values, and skills in life are more caught than taught. Don't just tell them to love Jesus, SHOW THEM how you love Jesus!

Another way to say it is, "If you ain't living it, they ain't learning it."

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is known as the Shema. In Judaism it is a declaration that the reader must hear, listen, and pay attention. Not only that, the reader should be careful to obey!

Obey what?

The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Teach the ways of God diligently to your children. Speak of the Lord and His goodness at all times. When we are in our homes, at the dinner table, and when we wake up and go to bed, God should be the topic of conversation. In other words, our children need to understand that Jesus is a fixture in your home. Remember the opening song to the 90s sitcom Full House?

"Everywhere you look, everywhere you go..."

Psalm 78 is a "maskil of Asaph." It's not exactly known what a maskil was, but it likely referred to a song or selection of music. This particular maskil told a story that depicted all the great works of God throughout the Jewish generations. From humble beginnings with Jacob (Israel), through slavery in Egypt, deliverance from Egypt, wandering in the wilderness, and even the grumbling and complaining against God. The lessons are all there. The victories are shared and the failings are shared.

WHY?

Verse 7 tells us, "So that they should set their hope on God and not forget the works of God, and keep His commandments!"

Every generation needs to learn from the previous one, but you must be intentional about this. Make it a point to hand your God-given legacy to the next generation. Let them know they are a part of a bigger picture that existed long before they entered the scene. So that they may KNOW GOD! Remember, this is the most important legacy you could ever share. I pray that God will use the stories you share to bring meaningful life change to the people you love. Go ahead, start handing over your legacy to the next generation today!

Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of Crosswalk Church in Brentwood, TN. If you would like to support this website and make it possible for this page to stay active and these devotions to reach a wider audience, CLICK HERE

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