“Those who did not know history are doomed to repeat it” is a phrase that has been quoted through the generations. And it is so true. And it happens over and over and over and over again. Ad nauseum.
That’s why history is so important to teach one generation to the next. It’s why we have monuments and museums, history teachers and artists. They tell us the story of humanity and the results when things are blessed and when things are a mess.
What’s important to is that we tell again the stories of our faith over and over. It’s important that we write books about the workings of God in our lives and ministries, tell stories of faith to the next generation, make movies that testify to the goodness of God, and do anything and everything that the next generation hears and understands. This is a command and example throughout Scripture:
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. (Ps 71:18)
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. (Ps 78:4)
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. (Ps 119:90)
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. (Ps 145:4)
It is a command that we tell one generation to the next the stories of God’s faithfulness. If not, this could be the story of a generation:
“That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors. After them another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works He had done for Israel. The Israelites did what was evil in the LORD’s sight…” (Judges 2:10).
Plain and simple. The generation that knew the Lord and followed Him passed away. Another generation did not know the Lord and had not heard the stories of God’s faithfulness, and they did evil.
I feel this is happening again. A generation is not hearing the stories of God and atheism is exploding. Or worse yet, “progressive Christianity” that doesn’t even acknowledge sin as such.
And then I think to myself, what am I doing to tell the stories of God’s faithfulness to the next generation? Really not a lot. Mainly because I forget the great things God has done. I forget his mighty miracles in my life. And therefore when I teach I forget to tell the stories I have not been intentional to remember.
The word “remember” is used 231x in the New Testament alone! We need to remember the things God has done for us. And we need to tell those stories to the next generation. We need to write the book, make the movie, tell the stories, and do whatever it takes that the next generation comes to know those stories of God’s faithfulness in our lives.
I feel convicted. What am I doing? Maybe I need to start by remembering.
Because the above Scripture about the next generation not knowing the Lord or the works He had done is happening now. And it’s one part of history that I do not want to see repeated again.
