Dear People Who Keep Company With God,
When our faith is tested, many times after it is over there is an increase of God’s Presence, purpose and power in our lives (Luke 22:31-32). That is already happening and I trust it is going to increase this year. I believe there is a proclamation coming from this body that will be significant.
“The testimony of triumph coming from this body will far exceed the tragedy we have experienced.” Angel Whitlow
I think Psalm 78 has something to say to us. It is no coincidence that the two young women in our church that lost their husbands in our time of sorrow remarried last year to men named Jacob. Psalm 78:71 calls Jacob, “His People”. In Psalm 78:5 it says, “God established a testimony in Jacob.” We are Jacob.
Our testimony of triumph is important for the next generation. In Psalm 78:6–7 it says, “That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;”
There is so much competing for the minds, energy, and time of the upcoming generations. That’s why it’s as important as ever that we recognize our roles and participate in bringing up the next generation, passing on the baton of our hard fought for faith.
Here are three ways that our testimony will impact the upcoming generations.
They will manifest the Presence and Power of the Lord. “That the generation to come might know Him.” Dwelling in His Presence is our highest value. In Mark 3:13-15 Jesus went up on a mountain and called those He wanted to Himself. And they came to Him. He appointed them to be with Him and to send them into the world with power and authority. I believe the upcoming generation will answer the call to be with Him and release His Presence, power and authority in the world like those early disciples did.
They will be vessels of great hope. “That the generation to come might put their hope in God.” A great preacher once said, “He who has the most hope has the most influence.” and “Any area of our life that is not infused with hope is under the influence of a lie.”
Hope is how we got through our times of great tragedy. When we hit that dark, hard and lonely bottom we “hoped against hope.” We chose to believe in the goodness and faithfulness of God when everything screamed opposite.
Jeremiah, a man who literally was thrown into a deep pit brought this out so well (Jer. 38:9).
Remember my affliction and roaming, the wormwood and the gall. 20 My soul still remembers and sinks within me. 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lam. 3:19-24)
Our ceiling will be the upcoming generation’s floor. “That they may not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments;” We have been given a very precious spiritual DNA and now we have a fresh testimony. We are bread in the hands of Jesus. We have been broken and now He is blessing us. His blessings upon our broken lives will release our spiritual DNA into the younger ones. I believe they will take that DNA to new heights. In the coming generations, we will see some of our greatest dreams fulfilled.
Many Blessings, BW