“Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years…and all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges 2:8,10-11).
Are you bewildered at what has happened to America? It seems that all of our values have turned upside down and people no longer believe in the principles that one made America a respected nation. People no longer believe the Bible or pass down its principles to the next generation. Many people have tried, but they have missed an important principles. Passing down are values can only do so much. What we must pass down, instead, is not principles, but a person.
Notice what the writer of Judges says. He doesn’t say people didn’t know the Bible or their history. He said they “Did not know the Lord.” It wasn’t the lack of heritage of principles that hurt the nation, it was that they didn’t know the God who loved them. King David recognized this in his own time. When he was dying he didn’t tell Solomon to know the law. Instead, he said, “Now as for you, my son, Solomon, know the God of your father” (I Chronicles 28:9).
What are you passing down to your children? Is it the principles in the Bible or the person of Christ. Consider that we get to Heaven not through what we know, but by who we know. Many people will try to live by the Bible but not make it to Heaven. We only get to Heaven by knowing the Lord. In the same way, America cannot be saved just by doing what the Bible says. But by knowing its central figure, Jesus. Only Jesus saves.
Memory’s Verse
“As for you, my son, Solomon, know the God of your father” (I Chronicles 28:9).
Application
Make it a point to encourage your children and grandchildren to know the Lord. Pray with them, addressing God personally and with tenderness of heart and expression. Make it clear to those after you that you know the Lord, and want them to know him too.
