Declare God's Mighty Acts Part 2

The verse for a parent's heart this month is Psalm 145:4. 

Psalm 78 also tells parents to declare God's mighty acts.

⁴ We will not hide them from their children,
    but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

⁵ He established a testimony in Jacob
    and appointed a law in Israel,
which he commanded our fathers
    to teach to their children,
⁶ that the next generation might know them,
    the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
⁷     so that they should set their hope in God
and not forget the works of God,
    but keep his commandments;
⁸ and that they should not be like their fathers,
    a stubborn and rebellious generation,
a generation whose heart was not steadfast,
    whose spirit was not faithful to God. Psalm 78:4-8 ESV

As Christian parents today, we can look at this encouragement to parents in the Old Testament and make goals for what to teach and why to teach our children.  

Verse 4 says that they were to tell their children of God's 1. glorious deeds  2. His might  3. wonders He has done.  I can look for examples in the Bible to teach my children of God's glorious deeds, His might, and wonders He has done. I can also point out to my child in daily life situations glorious deeds, God's might, and wonders He has done.

Verse 7 talks about children setting their hope in God and not forgetting the works of God.  This is a beautiful goal that I can have for my children.   

Psalm 78 goes on to talk about people that, as verse 8 puts it, "whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God."

¹¹ They forgot his works
    and the wonders that he had shown them. Psalm 78:11 ESV

⁴² They did not remember his power
    or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,
⁴³ when he performed his signs in Egypt
    and his marvels in the fields of Zoan. Psalm 78:42-43

We can learn from this example of what not to do. We can constantly remind ourselves and our children of God's power.
 
As Christian parents, not only can we teach our children of God's might demonstrated in the Old Testament, we can teach our children of God's power demonstrated in raising Jesus Christ from the dead.

 In other words, that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you know what is the hope of His calling, what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the holy [sanctified] ones, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe. That power is according to the working of the strength of His ability, which He energized in the Christ when He raised him from the dead and caused him to sit at His right side in the heavenly realm far above every ruler and authority and power and lordship, even every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the coming age." Ephesians 1:18-21   A Journey through the Acts and Epistles Working Translation

In the spring we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the day of Pentecost. These are wonderful opportunities to speak of God's power and might to our children.

"However, you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but also in all Judea and Samaria and to the farthest part of the earth." Acts 1:8  A Journey through the Acts and Epistles Working Translation

Once again I am reminded of the wonderful privilege of being a Christian parent.  As I teach my children, I am reminded for my own life of God's power and might.  I can set my hope in God, and my heart can be steadfast. 

Related Post
Declare God's Mighty Acts: Part 1, Psalm 145:4

© Brigette Hill, 2014