Four things to ponder

Psalm 78 is one of my favorite Psalms. The margin of my Bible next to this Psalm is filled with a big star and a prayer. Here is a portion of this passage:

O my people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in parables,
I will utter hidden things, things from of old--
what we have heard and known,
what our fathers have told us.
We will not hide them from their children;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
(verses 1-7)


These verses say we are to teach our children the following things:
1. The praiseworthy deeds of the Lord
2. The power of God
3. The wonders He has done
4. The statutes and law of God

As I look at the above list, I am challenged to be more purposeful in my interactions with my children. Am I daily telling them of God's praiseworthy deeds? Am I telling them what God has done in my life? Am I teaching them of His power? Am I sharing the wonders He has done throughout history? Am I teaching them His law?

The privilege of having my children home with me all day gives me many opportunities for teaching these things. I am encouraged to speak aloud the things I am praising God for in my own life; the prayers He's answered, the deeds He has done. And to point out to them the deeds He has done in their lives. I am encouraged to speak of His might and power. My children love to talk about how strong and mighty God is; that He is more powerful than anything or anyone else. I am challenged to speak of and read about His wonders, over and over and over again. And of His law; how God wants us to live.

This is so my heart. And my fervant prayer? "then they will put their trust in God and will not forget his deeds but will keep his commands."

7 comments:

  1. FOUR things to ponder???? This gives me about a million things to ponder!!! This post motivates me AND humbles me....all at the same time. This is SO what I want for my family. And this is SOOOO how I desire to live my life...."out loud" for God...making sure that I am constantly pointing my children to God. Somedays I feel like I do....and other days I can feel like such a failure at it...

    I will be pondering this post today, for sure!!!!

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  2. Praise God that we will not hide them from our children-may our children indeed hear us speak of the goodness of God and his worthiness of all of our praise.

    May our children walk in His ways and bring glory to his name with their lives.

    amen and amen!

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  3. Beautiful truths. I'm blessed by reading them and will think them through as I make dinner. :)
    Happy Day,
    Dana

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  4. Yes. My heart pleads the same ..."that they will put their trust in God ..." What an awesome responsibility we have as moms. Thank you for this reminder. Even though my daughter is still young, it is not too early for her small ears to ring with her mommy's words of love and faith to God.

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  5. Before i became mother, i though that i would never be able enough to teach my kid God's word. I know this sounds weird probably, but honestly, i was scared of that. Now a days, when i have that little "thing" in my hands i know that first of all i will pray and learn how to pass His knowledge on her....
    Thank you for this post. It reminds me how many things we still have to do for our kids.

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  6. Great, inspiring post as usual, Stacy! I'm so glad to be back online. I've been hoping for a Stacy email in my inbox. No pressure, though, friend! Hope all is well with you.

    Love,
    Joni

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  7. Wow, so many truths. I honestly love the way your heart was so transparent. Its beautiful how God uses use to reach others, thanks!

    And many blessings!

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