Daily Devotions
Is Worship Authentic If You Don't Feel Like It?
Title: Is Worship Authentic If You Don't Feel Like It?
Reading for June 19: Psalms 73-77
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,
so that they should set their hope in God...
Psalm 78:5-7
I'm a part of a long line of Christians. I can remember two of my great grandmothers who were both strong, committed believers. All of my grandparents were devoted to the Lord and my parents as well. I'm blessed to have a wife who is faithful to the Lord (who has a similar family background) and now all three of my children are disciples themselves.
What are the blessings and dangers of being in this kind of situation? You may be what we call a "first-generation" Christian. If that's the case, then this devotion is not for you. I'm addressing those of us who are, like me, part of big family tree of believers.
The danger of this kind of situation is a devotion to the family might take precedence over devotion to the Lord. Instead of each generation seeking to follow Christ and be like Christ, we try to please the family and make sure not to upset anyone.
The blessing is that there is a strong pull toward faith and godliness. When you leave the Lord you don't just face disappointed parents, but grandparents as well. There is an expectation that you will be faithful to the Lord in every way, and there are plenty of examples of what that looks like.
Father, thank you for my parents, grandparents, and great grandmothers who have all through their teaching and example helped make me who I am today.
