Thursday, February 25, 2010

Psalm 78

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I was reading recently, and this brought it back to mind, how important oral tradition is in the shaping of a child's worldview. It is not just what they "read". It is what knowledge is imparted to them orally. What values are verbally expressed by those they trust and honor.

"My children, LISTEN to my teaching, LISTEN to what I say. I will SPEAK using stories; I will TELL secret things from long ago. We have HEARD them and known them by what our ancestors have TOLD us. We will not keep them from our children; we will TELL those who come later about the praises of the Lord. We will TELL of His power and the miracles He has done. The Lord... gave the teachings to Israel which He commanded our ancestors to teach to their children. Then their children would know them... and they would TELL their children. So they would all trust God and would not forget what He has done." 78:1-7

I thank God for the joy of being able to impart His truth, and I thank Him for the opportunity to fill our days praising Him as we learn about His wonderful works together. Truly "I have no greater joy" as Paul says than to hear and see my children growing, thriving, maturing in their faith and grasping the truths of His marvelous deeds.

Mac an Rothaich said...

Love the part at the start explaining the importance of passing this on to our children...

As you read through you realize how realistic and harsh the info that they are passing on is and reminds us not to deny our children warnings.

It reminds me of how honest my parents where,as I grew, about their mistakes and lessons learned as they grew in Christ and I appreciate it. I feel this text encourages us to be real with our kids and not pretend to be superhero Christians.

The last verse seemed like a perfect example of how we can learn from God in how to be a proper parent "With upright heart he tended them, and guided them with skillful hand."