GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS
I’m sure you have heard the song Abraham’s blessings are mine. You have probably sang this song a number of times. It’s easy to sing, clap and dance to a song without paying much attention to the lyrics or the message behind the song.
In several Bible passages, God introduces Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:15, Matthew 22:23, Acts 7:32). This is a name God loves because it is a name that reveals God as the God of three generations of men, it is a name that shows God’s love and interest in the family unit. The covenant of blessing God established with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), God extended the same blessing to Isaac, Abraham’s son (Genesis 26:3-4), and to Jacob, Abraham’s grandson (Genesis 28:14-15).
Through faith in God and our relationship with Jesus Christ, we share in the blessings Abraham received from God (Galatians 3:14). This means that like Abraham’s family, God’s blessings are to be flowing down from one generation to another generation.
One significant and special thing Jesus did for us on the cross was to save and redeem us from the consequences of the wrong choice of one family member. Through the blood of Jesus, we are set free from the bad character traits, emotional baggage, unresolved grudges and issues, genetic disorders, hereditary diseases, recycled failures and afflictions, evil curses and covenants that had been passed on from one generation to another generation.
Now, because of our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, we don’t pass on negative stuff from one generation to another, we pass on a godly heritage; love, passion, commitment, faithfulness to God and obedience to His Word. This is the only type of inheritance that is enduring; can’t be stolen, doesn’t spoil or fade away (1 Peter 1:4).
May we not hide from our children the praises of the Lord, His strength and the wonderful works He has done. May our children and their children, hand down the Word of God and love for God. From us, to our children, to their children, to another generation, may we all be able to boldly say: the lines have fallen to me in pleasant places, yes, I have a good inheritance (Psalm 16:6).
