Great Plains Daily Devotional for 11/5/2020

Psalm 78:1-7

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching;
    incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable;
    I will utter dark sayings from of old,
things that we have heard and known,
    that our ancestors have told us.
We will not hide them from their children;
    we will tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

He established a decree in Jacob,
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach to their children;
that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and rise up and tell them to their children,
    so that they should set their hope in God,
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;

Alma Dianne turns 5 today. It is truly a day for rejoicing. Five years ago, Alma was born, a child in God’s image, precious to God. Precious to me. Alma is my granddaughter.
 
How cool is it that the Psalm for this week is Psalm 78? Psalm 78 opens with verses about teaching and learning and passing the faith on to generations to come. The Psalm reminds us that through a variety of teaching methods the story of God’s “wondrous works,” God’s “glorious deeds” can be passed to children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. In addition, the Psalm suggests that this needs to be done so that each generation of the People of God knows the Law of the Lord and can live it. This instruction must happen so each generation can learn to trust God and to place its hope in God.
 
This continues to be necessary today. One of our tasks as faithful disciples is to pass the Law on to our children and grandchildren. It is part of my job as Alma’s grandma to instruct her in the faith, and to support her mommy and daddy as they raise her in the faith. Part of the learning will be that God is steadfast, God cares and cares, and God loves each of God’s creatures.
 
What are ways that these stories and truths can be taught? Rote instruction works. Telling the story is even better. Talking about feelings within the framework of the story is critical. Maybe acting out the story. Acting out the Law (love God, love neighbor) by following where it pushes us. Loving neighbor might push us into new experiences -- collecting food for the hungry, building a house for a homeless person, praying for those who are different from me, wearing a mask, using kind words, being aware and open to God.
 
Today live your faith. Teach it to someone of the next generation. Involve a young neighbor, a stranger on the street, your son or granddaughter in performing kindnesses and in praying together. While you are engaged in one of these activities, talk about who God is and why you are performing such deeds. Help the younger one make a connection between God and the deeds we do. Refer to the hope that comes to you during each scary day, as you remember how faithful and caring God is. Spread hope wherever you go by learning and following.
 

Prayer for Reflection

Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12