[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during January 2024]
The generations which came before us have, for better or worse, shaped the world that we now live in. We would not be where we are now if it had not been for the way in which they acted. Many aspects of modern secular society such as schools, hospitals, employment welfare have their origins in the activities of God-fearing people of a previous generation. Conversely, there are events in our history whose outcomes have been less beneficial.
In a similar way, our actions now will affect those who follow us, and that places us in a dilemma. Should we act with regard to the prospects for generations to come or should we focus on more immediate considerations, given that experience shows that the long term rarely turns out as expected. Environmentalists, for example, are likely support one point of view whereas, it could be argued, politicians act in another.
Since no one knows the future, who can tell someone else what is to come? Ecclesiastes 8 v7 [NIVUK]
As Christians, we believe that God created the earth and therefore we have a special responsibility to look after it. On the other hand, we also believe that this earth is not everlasting; there will come a time when it will get a hot restart (to use a computing expression).
See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65 v17 [NIVUK]
Jesus will come back; when he does so the established cycle of life on earth will come to an end. The early disciples thought that Jesus would return within their lifetimes but they were disappointed. Under the heading of ‘Predictions and claims for the Second Coming’,[1] Wikipedia lists no less than 48 well-publicised predictions about the date of Christ’s return. Despite their initial credibility they have all proved to be wrong.
Speculating about specific dates is futile; Jesus said that even he did not know when it would be.[2] Rather, he told us to pay attention to the events around us and to be prepared.
Contrary to popular opinion, generation after generation will not continue ad-infinitum. We do not know how many more generations there will be but, whether they be many or few, they will live in the context of what we do now.
How can we best prepare those generations who follow us? There is a clue in the question that Moses posed to the people that he was leading:
In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” Deuteronomy 6 v20 [NIVUK]
What would your answer be?
References:
[1] Wikipedia, January 2024
[2] Matthew 24 v36
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys