Don't Forget Your God!

Recently an item appeared on the news that told the story of a 34-year-old man suing his parents for “not preparing him to earn a living.” He asked the judge to force his parents to sell their home and from the proceeds purchase him a restaurant. Parents, he argued, are responsible for providing a useful education for their children. However, the parental task he expected of them, is as old as mankind. It began with the children of Israel.

Psalm 48 begins with a call to praise the Lord. He is “great,” said the Psalmist, and “worthy of praise.” In between verses one and fourteen, the author gives many descriptions of the greatness of God and several reasons why He was worthy of praise. But why is He great and why is He worthy of praise?

Contained in the Psalm is a description of the City of Zion – the “joy of the whole earth.” And what is this joy or where does it come from? It is the City of the Great King – God Himself! And we read that “God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be her fortress; when kings joined forces and ‘saw her’ they fled in terror; it is the city of our God and in her temple, God makes her secure forever; in His temple they meditate on His unfailing love; people in the villages are glad because of His judgments.”

The people in the Psalm are then told to “walk about Zion, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, and view her citadels so that you may tell of them the next generation!”

Why were the contents of this Psalm important to the children of Israel? In His wisdom God advised the writers of this Psalm to produce a document that contained a historical record of God’s love and faithfulness, His goodness and guidance, His strength and power. This Psalm contains a most significant fact: Parents are to pass on to their children the fact that God, in His grace and goodness, will provide, protect, and care for His children as long as they are faithful to Him.

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, for the record of Your might and majesty, Your power and presence that gives us reasons to trust You for our salvation! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations. Psalm 48:13

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