“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn; and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” (Psalm 78:5-7, ESV)
It’s that time in life where we find ourselves going through 50 plus years of accumulated stuff. Additionally, it’s that time when I have started trying to cull down my library and it is a challenge. What to keep for my family … what to discard … what to pass on to someone else.
The greatest legacy … the most valuable endowment that we can leave to our children and to our grandchildren is not something that is tangible!
It is an unshakable heritage of faith in God! My friends this is the only legacy that will have any lasting value. Everything else of this world “will perish with the using!”
I must want more than any other desire to introduce my family …all of our generations … to the “Lord of Heaven and earth … Jesus Christ”
Psalm 78 is a retelling of the history of Israel from the Exodus generation on through their history up until the time of David. And it was a story of their rebellion and their redemption … a story of their sinning time after time and they’re being forgiven time after time!
The story … well … it was a story of both the wrath of God and the mercy of God! And it could be said, could it not, that this is our story as well! Yes, “we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
The main truth to know is this: Israel was always breaking God’s covenant … while God was always keeping it! Even as He is keeping every promise made to those who choose to be disciples of His Son, Jesus Christ!
So, let’s ask ourselves this question: What do we want to leave behind when our lives on earth are over!
I want my children to be “strong in the Lord!” I pray that God has forgiven me when I haven’t been the best example … just as I know He has blessed me when I have!
I want my grand-children to be “strong in the Lord!” I pray that God has forgiven me when I haven’t been the best example … just as I know He has blessed me when I have!
I want your children and your grand-children to be “strong in the Lord!” I pray that when you have not been the example you should be that you have asked our Lord to forgive you … even as I am confident that He has blessed you when you have lived in a good way before their eyes and ears!
I want my children and my grandchildren to stand strong in the storms of this life! And I want your children and your grandchildren to stand strong in the storms of life!
After I am gone … will they remember seeing their Dad … their Papa Bear reading and meditating on God’s Book?
After I am gone … will they remember hearing their Dad … their Papa Bear talk about the wondrous truths found in God’s Book and the joy to be found in serving Him?
After I am gone … will they remember their Dad … their Papa Bear praying before every meal?
After I am gone … will they remember just how often I said to them, “I love you?”
After I am gone … will they remember how I showed them just how much “I loved them” with action?
I pray they will!
No one ever plans to waste his or her life, but it’ll happen if you fail to set priorities. So consider: What will you leave behind for those you love? Will your life testify to the eternal love of God—or the temporary things of this world? Your story is still being told, so choose wisely.
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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