May we raise up a generation for Him

That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God,


[we live in a generation whose hope is in power, position, health, and wealth- unfortunately we find this misguided trust among the people of God]


And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.


[we do not have to be like the generation that preceded us. we, by God's grace can be different, but the change must start in our heart.]


. . . And anger also came up against Israel, Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation. Yet He had commanded the clouds above, And opened the doors of heaven, Had rained down manna on them to eat, And given them of the bread of heaven. Men ate angels' food; He sent them food to the full. . . . So they ate and were well filled, For He gave them their own desire. They were not deprived of their craving; But while their food was still in their mouths, The wrath of God came against them, And slew the stoutest of them, And struck down the choice men of Israel.


[There is a righteous anger with God, and He disciplines His own. Is it an anger that is birthed out of the pain of being rejected by one's own? When our hearts are filled with lust, God may choose to precede His judgment by giving us the desires of our lustful hearts, and those basking in earthly delights suddenly find themselves naked and destitute.]


In spite of this they still sinned, And did not believe in His wondrous works. Therefore their days He consumed in futility, And their years in fear.


[Discipline is not always followed by repentance. Hardened hearts, when disciplined, often yield little more than more sin, excuses, and vain attempts to justify wrong attitudes, wrong priorities, and wrong doings.]


When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God. Then they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer. Nevertheless they flattered Him with their mouth, And they lied to Him with their tongue; For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, And did not destroy them.

-Psalm 78

[We can feel sorry for ourselves without truly repenting, and seek God out of desparation rather than out of godly sorrow for our sin. We are capable of saying all sorts of wonderful things to, and about God when we want something from Him, and yet our hearts betray our lack of faithfulness and commitment to our covenant with Him. Yet, when it comes to His own, He is full of compassion and ready to forgive.]

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
(2Ti 2:13)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.