Learning, and teaching, from our past.

Psalm 78. A psalm of Asaph. NLT.

Verses 1-8

O, my people, listen to my teaching.

Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable.

I will teach you hidden lessons from our past – stories we have heard and know, stories our ancestors handed down to us.

We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord.

We will tell of His power and the mighty miracles He did.

For He issued His decree to Jacob, He gave His law to Israel.

He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born – that they in turn might teach their children.

So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.

Then they will not be like their ancestors – stubborn, rebellious and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.

How dangerous it is to live without the knowledge of God, and  not allowing Him to work out His plans through us. We can’t foil His plans, but there are consequences to our disobedience which can impact on the lives of others.

I am thinking of the verses of Mark 1:40-45, when Jesus freely healed a man of leprosy, but gave him a warning, - or was it a request? “Don’t tell anyone about this. Show yourself to the priests, and give the due sacrifices to prove you are clean.”

V 45. But the man disobeyed and told everyone. The consequences fell on Jesus; it meant He was mobbed wherever He went, and could not continue His ministry freely.

People who would have heard Him, or even perhaps been healed by Him, were denied the privilege because one man, however well meaning, disobeyed.

We need to listen, and obey, without rushing ahead doing things our way.