I’m fortunate to have some relatives who have researched our
genealogies. I also have copies of letters written by several of my ancestors.
The record of their lives includes their faith and I’m blessed when I read it. I
like knowing who my ancestors were and how they served the Lord. But I seldom
think about future generations of my family. I’m grateful that my children know
God and my grandchildren are being raised to know Him too. But this psalm is
for my great-grandchildren and their children . . .
God looked down from Heaven and saw a world full of
prisoners condemned to die. He came to free them from their bondage and all the
nations will praise Him. The Gospel summarized in two verses.
Thousands of years ago, the message of salvation was
recorded for future generations. I was one of those not yet born. But the chain
continues and there are many more to come.
As a writer, I can’t help reading this Psalm as not only a
message of hope, but also as an admonition.
Write a message for those not yet
born.
My writing is not just a pastime. It’s not just a passion. It’s not even
just a service to God. My writing is a record for my great-grandchildren.
Just as
my ancestors recorded their salvation for me, I should write about my
salvation. That doesn’t mean that everything I write has to include a salvation
message. It doesn’t even have to have an explicit Christian message. But
everything I write must rest on my salvation. God saw my bondage and sent Jesus
to free me. I stand with all the generations and nations to praise Him for it. The joy of that
freedom should shine through in everything I write.
I want to help those not yet born to praise the Lord.
What an encouragement to record God's work in our lives for future generations. I have been struck recently by how often God told Israel to 'remember' what He had done in the past, to take a look backwards at their history. Recording our faith journey gives future generations the opportunity to look back and remember what God has done in our own family. This gives writing my silly blogs a whole new perspective. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRemember how Screwtape described the Church? I love being reminded that it is ahead of us as well as behind us.
ReplyDelete