Psalm 78:4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.

This whole chapter is focused on communicating the history of Israel to succeeding generations. This is a matter of great importance. I used to think the Old Testament focused on it so much because most of the people in the early days were illiterate, besides the fact that the printing press hadn’t been invented, so most people didn’t have books or scrolls to read. However, recent events in the US have shown that the need is just as great today, in the “Information Age.” Schools have deliberately left off teaching history, and particularly the history of the US, so a whole generation has arisen that is woefully ignorant. What little history has been taught has presented the US in as bad a light as possible, and they have glossed over the horrible history of communist regimes. As a result, great numbers of people think socialism is a wonderful idea, and that America is fundamentally racist and imperialist. On top of that, even churches have failed to teach such basics as the 10 Commandments. It’s no wonder the nation is a mess at the moment! Teaching history in no way means glossing over the bad stuff. This chapter recounts many of the faults of Israel, but the focus is on the goodness and grace of God. It has rightly been said that those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. The sad and disgusting thing in America today is that there are people who are actively trying to destroy the Biblical foundation on which the nation has stood, however imperfectly, for the past 250 years. The solution is for those who know the truth to be faithful to communicate it to succeeding generations, just as this verse says.

I have always liked history, but I can’t say I’ve ever taken a history class I really enjoyed! My knowledge of history has come from chasing rabbits on my own, reading historical novels and the like. For several years I was set on becoming an archaeologist, which is another way of saying, a history nerd. My life direction certainly shifted from that, but I still find it strange, and rather sad, that most of the people around me seem to be so ignorant of history. I am not to speak down to people, but I am to seek to encourage them to learn enough about history to make informed choices today. Of course, the most important information is that we were created by God, to know Him and do His will, and that He sent His Son to make that possible. I can’t do it all, or do much of anything correctly, on my own, but I can be available to God for Him to use me, and that should be my goal at all times.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It seems like You’ve been giving me some pretty big themes recently! Help me be Your agent of grace to everyone I encounter, not burying them in more information than they can, or want to, receive, but pointing them toward You and Your truth, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!