Lay a Foundation of Faith for a Future Generation

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

Those who are mature of faith must be a guiding light to today’s future generations

Today’s daily devotional: Deuteronomy 11:18-23

A growing concern of mines has been about the future generation’s relationship with God. I’m greatly concern about a generation rising up in the future that doesn’t know the Lord. It’s incredibly important that we do a better job of trying to pass on our knowledge and faith to the future generations. Why is it so important for our children to come to know the Lord at an early age?

1. Impressionable minds. As we know, children typically mimic what they see at home or they mimic those they admire. We certainly don’t want a future generation thinking that it is OK to move as many are choosing to move today in their wicked and evil schemes. We must set an example that is pleases the Lord so that a future generation knows what pleases God.
2. Stubbornness. Have you ever heard the saying: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Of course you have. Well, the same thing holds is nearly true about us. The older and older we become, the more and more we become stuck in our ways. Faith is all about growth. The truth of the matter is that nobody is ever too old to learn something new. Remember, Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 when God showed them He can do what one says is impossible.
3. Prevention of a lost generation. Judges 2:10 shows us what happens when a generation rises that does not know the Lord. That generation of Israel was lost to sin as they gave into sin and worshiped idols. They became a generation of Israel that sat at odds with the Lord to which seen them struggle greatly in life. As we were taught growing up, when one doesn’t know their history, they are soon to see history repeat itself.
4. Early knowledge is power. Proverbs 22:6 teaches us that when a child is trained up in the way he should go, he won’t depart from it when he is old. From firsthand experience, being introduced to the Lord at an early age builds a basic understanding of faith. This certainly helps in the later years when one’s faith has matured over time to be able to endure all of life’s trials and tribulations.

We must remember that we were young once, and become more understanding of the plight of the younger generation. While the world is still the same, the world is also different, with many temptations more easily avaialble. The wicked and evil are also pushing buttons at a pace that can also make it easy for one to give in to wicked temptations. Those who are mature of faith must be a guiding light in times like now.