Legacy becomes a priority as we age. What will the next generation remember about us when we are gone? What values and priorities will our younger family and friends associate with us? These questions and issues come to mind as I read the "legacy words" of an elderly man:
"O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." (Psalm 71.17-18)
The Psalmist was a man with a mission: to declare the Father's strength and power to the next generation while he still had life. In his waning years, he clearly saw the priority of "passing the baton". It was unthinkable that he should keep to himself the multitude of stories of God's protection and provision. These true life stories of the work of God in his life would be compelling reason for the next generation to know and love the One true God as well.
Lest we think the Psalmist' legacy was of a life of ease and abundance, the reality check is in these words: "You who have shown me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth." (Psalm 71.20) Protection and power was always evident, but they were so amidst an abundance of adversity.
Note well that the Psalmist had resolute faith in a future resurrection. He firmly believed that God would "bring me up again from the depths of the earth." Abundant as the Father's display of power was in his life, the greatest manifestation of power was yet to come: in the final resurrection of all believers.
Whatever our age, legacy needs to be a priority. What are communicating to the next generation of the power and presence of our Father? What stories of faith and hope will they remember us by? Of course, this all presupposes that our experience now is authentic and real. So, how are things today between you and your Father, as well as His Son? Legacy can only be build on the reality of today's experience.
The God Who shows us "many troubles and distresses" is faithful to deliver and empower. May our experience be genuine today, and the basis for compelling testimony to the generation(s) to come.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come." (Psalm 71.17-18)
The Psalmist was a man with a mission: to declare the Father's strength and power to the next generation while he still had life. In his waning years, he clearly saw the priority of "passing the baton". It was unthinkable that he should keep to himself the multitude of stories of God's protection and provision. These true life stories of the work of God in his life would be compelling reason for the next generation to know and love the One true God as well.
Lest we think the Psalmist' legacy was of a life of ease and abundance, the reality check is in these words: "You who have shown me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth." (Psalm 71.20) Protection and power was always evident, but they were so amidst an abundance of adversity.
Note well that the Psalmist had resolute faith in a future resurrection. He firmly believed that God would "bring me up again from the depths of the earth." Abundant as the Father's display of power was in his life, the greatest manifestation of power was yet to come: in the final resurrection of all believers.
Whatever our age, legacy needs to be a priority. What are communicating to the next generation of the power and presence of our Father? What stories of faith and hope will they remember us by? Of course, this all presupposes that our experience now is authentic and real. So, how are things today between you and your Father, as well as His Son? Legacy can only be build on the reality of today's experience.
The God Who shows us "many troubles and distresses" is faithful to deliver and empower. May our experience be genuine today, and the basis for compelling testimony to the generation(s) to come.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:08 AM
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