Pastor's Ponderings, January 11, 2016

God’s Destiny For You is Blessed

The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.   That quote from Mark Antony in the play, “Julius Caesar” written by William Shakespeare is a fascinating commentary on life.  It implies that the good things that people do are quickly forgotten but people will remember all of the bad things they did.  It is true that there are always consequences when people do evil and, sadly, one’s evil can run unabated in families, neighborhoods, and even countries.  But, thank God, this is not the case with the Godly.  Although those who oppose God will have terrible consequences, God will continually bless the generations of those who love Him (Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 7:9).   

In my own history, my great grandmother was a preacher, my grandmother played the piano in church and my two grandfathers and my father were preachers.  Further, my mother was a missionary and prayed for her children and their children.  My wife’s mother prayed on the back porch of their house in Georgia for her children and her unborn grandchildren and great grandchildren.  I get great satisfaction when I think about all of those prayers of our ancestors. They never saw our blessings in the natural but may have seen them in the spirit.  Naturally, we have prayed for our children and we see how our children and grandchildren are blessed but know that someone prayed for them.

We may not see all of the blessings that God has for our loved ones but our obedience to God will bless others.  So, don’t be upset when things don’t quite work out right now because God will work out everything in His time for those whose hope is in Him (Lamentations 3:25-26). We will get His goodness if we do not give up (Galatians 6:8, 9).

Exodus 20:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments

Deuteronomy 7:9
New International Version (NIV)
9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

Lamentations 3:25-26
New International Version (NIV)

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord

Galatians 6:8, 9
New International Version (NIV)

8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.