Generations

Thinking Long Term

I keep hearing many people on social media and in the news concluding that we must be on the precipice of the worst time in the history of the world. Of course, these people are seeing that we are coming off of two years of a pandemic such as none of us have ever experienced and staring down the barrel of possible world war. However, a hundred years ago they were also on the heels of a global pandemic and had recently fought WW1 so maybe our time is not as unique or cataclysmic as we may think. 

My intention with this post is not to paint a rosy picture of unrealistic optimism, but instead to point us to a less polarized point of view. The best of times and the worst of times are not the only two options. In light of God sovereign rule over this world and this age we should remember that this time is purposeful and that he will accomplish His providential purposes. I don’t have any idea if tomorrow will be from a temporal perspective for better or worse. I only know, as the old hymn goes, “the One who holds tomorrow.” 

The Shoulders of Giants

Every generation seems to believe themselves to be the most progressive and advanced that has ever existed. In some sense this is probably true, however, we rarely recognize that there will be another generation which will inevitably go beyond our point of progressive. This advancement could be that of revival and reformation or regression and rebellion but either way each new group seems to think that they are cutting edge trail blazers.

Oftentimes, this is probably because we are rather self focused and ignorant of the historic realities from which we have come. As the old saying goes, we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Those generations of the past are currently serving as the foundation from which we can individually and collectively serve and honor Christ our King or demonstrate our hatred and rejection of Christ as our King (Luke 19:14,27).

This also means that later generations will most likely be standing on our shoulders. It seems like so many, if not all, generations think that they will be the last one. I once saw a skit that imagined our lives like a meal in a restaurant. What was so interesting was that at the end of the meal (end of their lives) the characters seemed shocked that others were just ordering appetizers. Sometimes, we become so focused on our time that we neither learn the lessons of history nor consider the consequences in the future.

Wicked & Evil

One thing that we should probably notice is that the generations in the Bible are called wicked and evil for seeking signs. They are encouraged to remember what God had done in the former times for His people (Hebrews 11). The people of God are expected to reflect on God's blessing and deliverance as tangible evidence of His steadfast covenant love for His people (Psalm 136).

God’s people are also called to instruct and educate their children and grandchildren about the greatness of God and His commands for His people (Duet. 6:4-9). As Christian parents we are the primary gospel influence in our children’s lives. We have the opportunity and privilege of bringing them to Lord through saturting their lives with the gospel (2 Timothy 1:5-7). 

Forward Thinking

Our hope is in the fact that our God is in control of the future. This includes both the future of this present age for however long that may be and the future of the age to come. Because we know this to be true we can rest in God’s promises and work hard for His purposes knowing that none of our toil for the Lord is wasted or in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). This means that I need not wring my hands in anxious fretting over the last catastrophe in my news feed, because Christ will reign till all His enemies are brought under His sovereign feet (Ephesians 1:15-23). And beloved this is the ground of all our hope, Jesus is Lord & Christ is King!

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