March 15, 2022

Moreover, that whole generation was gathered to their ancestors, and another generation grew up after them, who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.

Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and worshiped the Baals; and they abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them, and bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger. They abandoned the LORD, and worshiped Baal and the Astartes. 

Judges 2:10-13

Devotional

“The faintest ink lasts longer than the strongest memory.” This piece of advice is one of many truths that an early boss—later mentor—shared with me one day. It’s tight and concise and easy to remember. And it’s dadgum true! He shared this insight in a day and age when computers were not on every desk (and wrist) and things were transmitted the old-fashioned way by typewriter and the US Postal Service. 
 
In the passage above from Judges, the people of God have crossed the Jordan River and occupied the Promise Land. And they have forgotten God. While the Law—and many other things—had been written down, it seems that somewhere along the way the parents stopped telling the stories about their gracious, loving, generous, and compassionate God. 
 
And they forgot the Lord. 
 
It has been said that the Christian faith is one generation away from extinction. This story from Judges gives us a chilling illustration of just how accurate that prediction is. Let us not allow the hurriedness of our lives crowd out the eternal, ultimate, and life-changing importance of telling the stories of faith to the next generation!

For Reflection

Did you hear stories of faith from your parents and/or grandparents? What stories do you remember?
 
What is one story from your life—or the Bible—you will share with the next generation this week?

Prayer

God of grace and God of glory, the Bible is filled with stories of Your grace and mercy and steadfast love. Forgive me for taking these gifts for granted. Give me the desire to tell the “old, old, story” to the people I love the most. Keep me close to You. This I pray in Jesus’s name, Amen.