The Next Generation

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
Judges 1:1-2:9

"When all the generations had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which he had done for Israel."  Judges 2:10 (NKJV)

The great Christian statesman of many years ago, David DuPlessis, often said, "God has no grandchildren."  What he meant by this was that God meets and knows every man directly.  You cannot know God through someone else.  You cannot know God simply by being a part of a "Christian family" or even a Christian church. 

Every person must know God directly.  We are aided in this knowledge by many good ministries, but still we must know God in our own hearts.  This became the prevailing problem for the children of Israel, and it is the problem of our day, too.  How can a vital, wonderful, life-filled relationship with God be passed on to the next generation?

Let me suggest several steps that all of us should take.  First, PRAY.  Pray for those who will follow us.  Pray that they will surpass us in zeal for God, in dedication, in exploits for Christ's Kingdom.  Pray daily that those valuable things that God has given us be real to them, too.

Second, TELL STORIES.  Tell of the mighty things God has done.  Don't bore people with endless reminiscences, but tell them how God came through for you.  Tell them of the times God worked mighty works.  Israel did not pass on to the next generation all the great things God had done.  Are we guilty of doing the same.

Lastly, PROMOTE.  We must actively look for ways to promote the next generation into action.  If we keep all the activity to ourselves, if we keep all the important activities within our control, the day will come that those activities will cease and die when we pass from the scene.  If we promote the next generation into important roles, by the time we end our race, they will be running full speed.

Our job is not to fulfill only our own destiny, but instead to cooperate with God in the advance of His Kingdom.  To that end we labor.