A SELFISH GENERATION
Pastor Larry Bond
In II Kings 20 we see two very different attitudes
demonstrated by Hezekiah. In verse 2 and 3 he is in grief stricken agony!
"Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I
beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and
with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And
Hezekiah wept sore." Having a sickness unto death, we see his attitude when
his own skin was at stake. This was also Satan's opinion of the attitude of man
in Job 2:4. "Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his
life."
By contrast to this, notice in verse 19 Hezekiah's
apathetic attitude a few years latter when judgement is pronounced upon his
posterity by the prophet Isaiah because of his arrogance in showing all his
treasures to the Babylonian emissary. "Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good
is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is
it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?"
A few chapters later we see Isaiah's prophecy come to pass as
Hezekiah's great, great grandchildren are slaughtered and enslaved by Babylon.
Oh, that today we would cry out to God that godliness would be restored to
America! Considering the terrible moral decay in the last 50 years, what will be
the atmosphere in 3 or 4 generations from now? What horrendous temptations will
our great grandchildren face? Will the animosity toward God's name that we see
today evolve into brutal persecution? Will God's hand of judgement fall upon our
country? Do we really care about what America will be like for our descendents?
There have been many selfish generations throughout history that have had this
same unconcerned attitude about future generations, though there are some bright
spots in history where this was not the case. For example, in the early days of
our country, the attitude was "give our lives that future generations might
be blessed with freedom". The signers of the Declaration of Independence
willingly gave their fortunes, their honor, and their very lives in order that
people they would never know generations later could enjoy the blessings of
freedom. And then, Abraham dwelt in tents in a strange land trusting in the
promises of God that his seed would be blessed.
Hezekiah's attitude would fit into our modern society
quite well. In fact, it would frequently fit into our churches and Christian
homes as well. Let us not forget that Hezekiah was a very godly King bringing
reform and revival to Judah. So also, many godly parents today care more for
their careers, material things, and God's blessings in their lifetime than a
virtuous, godly posterity whom they, in this life, will never see or know.
"Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?" Perhaps we as
Christian parents need to turn our face to the wall, pray fervently, and weep
for our country and our grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great
grandchildren! As a child, I remember hearing the effectual, fervent prayers of
my godly grandfather. I recall hearing about how as a young man, he was mocked
by a gang of peers for not drinking alcohol with them, and that only by holding
him down and forcing his mouth open could they accomplish their devilish task.
My other grandfather (mother's side) died one year before I was born, but my
aunt told me about how every payday once a month ($100) he first took out the
tithe and put it in a strong box until Sunday. Also, he daily had family
devotions and prayed with the family. My children and grandchildren, whom my
grandparents never saw or knew, are now basking in the Son light of that godly
heritage. Though they have decided or must decide for Christ themselves, yet
they have been bathed in the Word of God and godly examples. What a blessing!!!
Thank you Lord! Thank you grandfathers! You may say, "but I'm a first
generation Christian." What a wonderful opportunity you have to be a modern
day patriarch! Your seed will rise up and call you blessed!
What is it that causes us to turn our faces to the
wall, weep, and pray? Financial failures? Life-threatening health issues?
Emotional stresses? Career catastrophes? Business bomb-outs? Broken toys?
Shattered dreams? How about weeping and pleading with God for our
great-grandchildren whom we will never know in this life? How about changing our
priorities, attitudes, and direction in order to see by faith godly generations
stemming from our loins? How about sacrificing selfish comforts for descendents
whose faces we will not see and whose names we will not hear? The attitude in
our hearts may be, "who cares, as long as it goes well with me and my
children". "Is it not good,
if peace and truth be in my days?"
Or maybe we are so self-centered that the spiritual welfare of future
generations never crossed our minds! Some may say, "it doesn't matter -
Christ will return before then anyway". Jesus' return is imminent, which
means He may come today or many generations from now! We are to be prepared for
either case. We are to "…watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." (Mark 13:33). But, we are
also to "…occupy till I come," Jesus says. (Luke 19:13). We are to
be busy about His work 'til He comes. Busy discipling, teaching, training,
nurturing our children who will disciple, teach, train, and nurture their
children, and so on beyond our lifetime. Oh, that our vision might not be
near-sighted!
The reflection of a materialistic society is
financial provision for the next generation via life insurance,
estate wealth, etc, but as Christians we should focus on spiritual
provisions handed down from generation to generation.
- on eternal life assurance, eternal wealth, and the eternal Word making
fertile the ground that our seed might take certain root and grow into a
"tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper." (Psalms 1:3). The "rivers of water" is the Word of God
flowing from previous godly generations! Though it is essential that every
individual personally accepts Christ for himself, yet the preparation by a godly
heritage will make ready the ground, fertile and well watered, making salvation
and spiritual growth far more probable.
Ask yourself, "what grieves me most?" The
problems I'm having, or the possibility that my posterity may suffer the terrors
of eternal hell fire without Christ!!!
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