Generations for God | Psalms 71:17-24

Introduction

Psalms 71:17-24“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Have you ever thought about how many generations have come since Adam and Eve? A “generation” in today’s times, is around 20-30 years, because it is in this age range when couples begin to have kids. The year brackets for generations is different when looking at past history. How many generations have passed to get to this point?

People who are much smarter than me (which is easy to be), have calculated that there 88-104 generations from Adam to today. (Answers in Genesis, Ken Ham). The median of this range is 96. So there have been around 96 generations from Adam and Eve to now. With each generation there have been different cultures with different traditions leading to different types of people. Through the 96 generations, God has extended his grace and mercy. Through the 96 generations, there has always been at least one that reached to the next generation and share about the love of Jesus.

The next generation has always been impacted by the previous. The message of Christ has been carried through many generations. The message still continues today! Because of previous generations at Northside, the Gospel message still continues. There are stories of how the enemy has tried interrupt the message going to the next generation at Northside. --- There are stories of church members in this room who stayed faithful to God and His plan for Northside. Now we are in 2023, where generations of adults, students, and kids are hearing and responding to the Gospel message.

There is a generation to teach and a generation to learn. Tonight I want to share 3 observations from this Psalm, and discover the mission for the current generation and the next generations.

Reality of the Young (vs. 17)

Let’s start in verse 17 and look at the Reality of the Young.

“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.”

The Bible does share who wrote this Psalm. Some say that is a Psalm of David and could have been attached to Psalm 70. That information is not known to us. We do know that the author of this Psalm is old. We do not know the age because we don’t know the person, but I’m going to guess they are around Randy’s age. So they are kinda old. Not super old. Just kinda old.

No matter who wrote the Psalm, we do know that the author was connected to Christ at a young age. I think the wording of the testimony is so unique in this passage. His testimony had nothing to with anything he said or did. The testimony pointed to God teaching the psalmist during his youth.

We are learning our entire life, but at the kid and youth age is the prime time of learning. The Psalmist recognized that in this passage. His testimony was not about himself. It was about Christ teaching him at his youth. What I know today, is not of my own. What I know today, is the result of God revealing His wisdom to me through the insight of those who have come before me.

Students in the room, are you living a life like the Psalmist? When it says “you have taught me.” The word ‘taught’ is used to describe one who receives training or instruction. The psalmist is sharing that he has received instruction/wisdom from God.

Are you receiving instruction/wisdom from God? It is important/It is vital for students to receive wisdom now because times are coming where your faith will be tested. Biblical application will be demanded. To have Biblical application, you will need to know the Bible. It is important gain Biblical knowledge now so that you can use it proclaim the truth later.

The psalmist said that he “still proclaims” God’s wisdom and instruction. The wording of this phrase tells us that he proclaimed it in his youth and through his adulthood. The Biblical wisdom we learn in our youth will become beneficial as an adult. What we read, what we write, what we sing, what we discuss, what we share in our youth, — all of this will affect our adulthood.

Students, what is the reality of you life right now? Does your testimony reflect verse 17, “you have taught me / I have received instruction — I will proclaim your wondrous deeds / wisdom and instruction.” Is the reality of your life like the reality of the young in this passage.

Remember, this is no youth writing this passage, but its an old man. Now the psalmist writes the current testimony of his life. It is a Request of the Old

Request of the Old (vs. 18)

The Psalmist writes about his looks to tell his age. He goes from a young youth to an old man. He makes a request in his old age for God not to forsake him. The wording in this verse tells us that God has been with the psalmist. The psalmist was requesting that God would not start now.

The psalmist wrote a similar sentence in Psalm 71:9 - “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.” This was a plea when his enemies were around him. His request for God not to forsake him, was not for personal safety, but rather power sharing. “The psalmist was not looking for personal safety, he was looking for the opportunity of power sharing.” He wanted to share God’s great power. Do you know to whom he wanted to share this great power? Look at your Bible, it says to the next generation.

The Next Generation needs those of old. I need those who have come before. The students need those who have come before. The kids need those who have come before. Young parents need those who have come before. To those who have lived through difficult times and great times, and can testify of God’s greatness through it all — I, We, the Next Generation needs you.

I know that my generation and the ones around mine are sinful, stubborn, and rebellious. BUT, so is yours...

The request of the old psalmist in this passage was for God not to forsake him, UNTIL he could proclaim God’s power to the next generation. “Blessed are they who begin in youth to proclaim the name of the Lord, and cease not until their last hour brings their last word for their divine Master”- Spurgeon.

I will share a testimony from the young side - I am thankful for the generations before me, who have invested in me.

Robby & Jeff - Personal Mentors, allowed me to start interning at NBC which has led to many serving opportunities

Randy - Mentor, encourager, shares ministry advice

I am thankful for the generations before me, who have invested in me.

Jason & Allan - Sunday School Teachers, challenged my knowledge of Scripture in my youth, remain invested in my life, and still encourage

Larry - Opportunities to teach SS, personal advice, encouragement, and resources to teach and preach

I am thankful for the generations before me, who have invested in me.

Terry, Brian, & Sarah - ministry leaders, take the mission of the media ministry and invest in younger team members to provide all of the audio and video services for Sunday and Wednesday.

I am thankful for the generations before me, who have invested in me.

Why do I think that is important for the older generations to reach to the younger generations? --- The pastors, church leadership, staff, deacons, ministry leaders, volunteers — all of the people in these positions will retire and move on one day. There is no Plan B. There is no backup. There are no replacements for these people EXCEPT the Next Generation.

That is why I believe it is important to reach down into the next generations and prepare them to be leaders in the church. “The gospel still needs to be proclaimed. The next generation needs to be trained.” That is a call to the generation down from you and a call to the generation above you. Pray for the opportunity to teach and to be teachable.

Record of the One (19-24)

Notice that the psalmist writes differently from his youth and old age. He first talked about absorbing knowledge from God. Through the years it became more than just learning but he started proclaiming. That led to asking God to let him continue proclaiming to the next generation. In verses 19-24, the psalmist gives a record of the One, God.

This Record consists of the following...

God’s Righteousness - God’s own perfection in every attribute, every attitude, every behavior, and every word. It reaches the heavens —> there is nothing like it.

Great things - Here is book dedicate to the great things of God

Who is like you? - Rhetorical question to express that God is incomparable.

Revive/Bring me up - The adversities are hyperbolically described as “the depths of the earth,” which contrasts with the phrase “righteousness … to the skies” (v. 19). Yahweh’s power is so great that he can extend his love into the deepest depths.

Increase greatness - The word “greatness” alludes to “great things” (v. 19), i.e., Yahweh’s saving acts. Instead of “troubles, many and bitter” (v. 20), he receives Yahweh’s “comfort.”

The Psalmist finishes by claiming praises to God through instruments and singing

This is a condensed record of the One. His greatness is unmeasurable. There will always be something to learn and there will always be something to teach for every generation. The record of Jesus is one that is alive. It is a record to proclaim. It is a record to learn.

Closing

Psalm 78:4-6 “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. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,” “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.”

Psalm 79:13 “But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”

Psalm 102:18 “Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:”

Psalm 145:4 “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”

Generations who older than me. Will you make a request like the old Psalmist, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

Younger generations need you to share your wisdom. Will you invest in the upcoming generations? Northside is blessed with great church leaders and members. Let’s continue this Northside legacy by extending an arm to the next generation. Outside these doors is a world in need of Jesus. Will you teach the next generation and prepare them to stand for Jesus and proclaim Jesus?

My generation and those younger than me. Will you make your reality like the young Psalmist who was willing to learn and grow in Christ. What we know as the leaders of the church today, they will not always be here. The next generation of leaders must start preparing now. Will you look to those who have gone before us? Will you be teachable to the wisdom they have to share?

God’s plan for the church has not changed, that is to proclaim the Gospel message. The Gospel message has not changed, that is that Jesus loves us so much that He died for us, paying our sin debt, and He rose from the grave, showing that He has power over sin and death.

Every generation listen to this — Jesus loves you no matter what age you are and generation you have come from. If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, there is no age limit. In fact, the Bible says that today is the day of salvation.

Maybe you are an older generation and God is working your life to invest in the next generation through discipleship or prayer.

Maybe you are apart of the younger generation and God is speaking in your life to commit to Him and be teachable by the older generations.

However God is working in your life, this alter is open for you to spend time in prayer with Jesus. For the younger you may ask someone from the older generation to pray for you. For the older you reach out to the younger and say you want to prau with them.