Find Us Faithful

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember his precepts.

Psalm 78: 1-4

On April 8, 2013, my grandmother passed away. I rejoiced knowing that she was in a glorified body with the Lord. The Lord had been good and allowed her to live 100 years. I have many fond memories of times spent at my grandparent’s home while growing up. But the thing I treasure most about my grandmother is the legacy of family and faith that she left for our family.

What will my legacy be? I desire to live in such a way that I leave my children and grandchildren a heritage, not just an inheritance. Someone said, “Our children are messengers we send to a time we will not see.” Our Scripture today is a great promise about teaching the truths of the Lord to our children and future generations. 

In 2 Chronicles 33-34 and 2 Kings 21-23 we find a story about the importance of leaving a lasting legacy for our descendants. Let me summarize it for you. King Manasseh did not start out as a very good king. God sent enemies to attack the Israelites. Manasseh cried out to the Lord, repented, and led Jerusalem back to serving the One true God. When his son, King Amon, ascended to the throne, he never served the One true God. He was so rotten and evil that eventually his own men attacked and killed him. That left the kingdom in the hands of an eight-year-old boy, King Josiah.

King Josiah had watched his father’s ways, and he desired to do better. During his 31 year reign, King Josiah returned the people back to the heart of the One true God. He was a godly king who honored the Lord.

The same is true in our lives today. Our children and grandchildren are watching us. Even though we desire to follow the One true God, there are times when we falter and fail. But God is always in the middle, orchestrating the events to show His love for us and bring us back to Him. The words of this song are my desire,

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful,

May the fire of our devotion light their way,

May the footprints that we leave, Lead them to believe,

And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

Heavenly Father, help me to live for You. Fix my eyes on You so that I can influence others for the kingdom of God. Find me faithful.

Janet