Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 78:1-8
Ps 78:1-8
1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. 5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. 8 They would not be like their forefathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.
Eph 6:4
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
This last verse is so simple and yet so profound. It is based on the assumption that the fathers are devoted to God and are willing to follow his will. In the context of this verse he is told to lead his family. This leadership is to be first and foremost a spiritual leadership. It is the work of all of us who are fathers to follow the Lord and to show by example our faith so it will be passed on to our children and to our grandchildren. But it is not just our example; rather we are to teach them the word of the Lord, and all he has done for us.
We need to study (and teach both our generation and the ones that come after us) the history of the Bible; how God has dealt with his people all through the ages. We need to understand the holiness of God along with his power and might. But we also see his love demonstrated over and over again by his patience and his grace shown by his forgiveness. We see he is always faithful in what he promises or says will happen. We also learn the principles of right and wrong as given by God. We learn to trust him which results in our obedience to him.
O God, my heavenly Father, I thank you for revealing your will to me and revealing the history of your creation and your dealings with all of mankind. Help me learn from the past – both my own past as well as the ancient history recorded for my good. Give me wisdom to guide my family in your will and help me show them how to live for you. Use me to lead others to you and your Son. Forgive me when I fail to be all you want me to be. Give your peace to those who are hurting and struggling in so many ways. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
