“Increase is coming, so enlarge your tent and add extensions to your dwelling.
Hold nothing back! Make the tent ropes longer and the pegs stronger. You will increase and spread out in every direction. Your sons and daughters will conquer nations and revitalize desolate cities.” Isaiah 54:2-3 The Lord gave me these words earlier this week. It was a word I needed to hear since there are times I wonder if we are hearing clearly. I know we are listening but the enemy brings doubt. The words that really stuck out to me were “Your sons and daughters will conquer nations and revitalize desolate cities.” That’s exciting!
As I was thinking about this I thought about the different generations. I am now in an older generation and say things that sound like what my Grandpa used to say about my generation. I don’t believe there should be big gaps between people but that we can learn from each other and work together no matter what our ages. One thing I seem to see in the younger generations is that they don’t always want all their parents have or the stresses that come with it. My generation got caught up in making a living and trying to provide more for their families. We didn’t always spend the time with our children that the younger people are with their kids. Many appear to want simple, less complicated and less striving.
I’m not even sure the direction the Lord is leading me with this but my heart is that life can be so short and we need to be together as families. There is no generation that did it all right including any now. As we age we have a different value on life and as parents and grandparents our greatest joy is to be with family. Yet, so many younger people are pulling away from their parents. Right now the enemy’s greatest ploy is to divide families as we know it and how the Lord designed families to be. And in less than 8 months the enemies plan is working! Actually, the enemy has been working on the “new” family image and division for years and we let things slip by. But we can’t let it continue! Even if you don’t have children physically we all have some sort of family that needs to be together and strong. Many families are 3-5 generations and what an opportunity we have to be strong together.
“How joyous are those who love the Lord and bow low before God, ready to obey him! Your reward will be prosperity, happiness, and well-being. Your wife will bless your heart and home. Your children will bring you joy as they gather around your table. Yes, this is God’s generous reward for those who love him. May the Lord bless you out of his Zion-glory! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem throughout your lifetime. And may you be surrounded by your grandchildren. Happiness to you! And happiness to Israel!” Psalm 128
The Lord led me to this chapter in Psalm. It uses such words of promise for us. Joyous – reward – prosperity – happiness – well-being - children bring joy – children around your table – surrounded by grandchildren.
I’m going to say this even though I don’t know how many adult children that are doing this will even read this. Young people, don’t shut out your parents right now. During this time in history the younger generations and older generations are divided politically like never before. And we know that politically there’s more hate and division than in any years we can recall. Much of the reason is what the schools and higher educations have taught. The last couple generations have been taught that they don’t have to respect or care about anyone but themselves. It’s a “take care of me first” mentality and not what Christ taught.
One thing I don’t think we often consider in our decisions in life is that the law of reaping and sowing is real! I know, we are living it in our lives in some areas. The seed you sow will be your harvest. Those of any age that chose something else above family will someday be left out by their own children or others. Just something to mediate on.
I don’t even know the reason I am writing this except I know so many hurting parents who are being “punished” for not overacting in fear about the virus. They are not allowed to be with their family right now who are deceived into believing this is just something we have to do for what started as 2 weeks to now some leaders are saying will be many more months. The fear is ruining relationships. I have family that sat with their Mom the last 3 days watching her go and she passed away yesterday. They feel the value of life right now. Life is short sometimes. Family is invaluable always. We don’t know what the next year will bring in all this social distancing and isolation. What is this world’s youngest generation being taught? They are in formative years and what they see and are learning will be with them forever! The fear they are watching in the adults around them is effecting their future. It’s not a simple virus problem. It’s an evil plan of the enemy and he used a lie that worked so well for all of us.
Well, you can tell this is strong on my heart and I know I am writing it for someone. So where do we go from here? One of my favorite verses I pray for my children is Isaiah 54:13. “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children.” I have prayed this over my children and now my grandchildren for 40 years. If you don’t have your own children there are children you know that this verse will be a life saver for. It’s a declaration. I declare it and speak the promise out loud. It doesn’t matter their age or their relationship with the Lord. The Word of the Lord brings life and light and slices through ALL darkness. Some of their misguided, confusing, or rebellious ideas can be changed as you speak this verse and declare other promises from the Word. Pray that they will have dreams and visions from the Lord that will change their hearts. He knows exactly how to reach your child or whoever you declare this verse over. He longs for them to be awakened to a life in Him. Pray He will change their way of thinking and that they will have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. Speak that your children and others you are praying for will walk in His peace, wisdom and
prosperity.
Last thing the Lord spoke loud and clear to be this week was “And don’t allow yourselves to be weary or disheartened in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!” Galatians 6:9 Passion Bible
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9 NKJV
We must not grow weary in all this or disheartened. Our Lord and Savior has not changed or has He left us. I had a day this past week that I just cried. Just got discouraged over issues and the lies of the enemy and the virus have brought. I knew I had to quickly change my heart and mind. The Lord showed Himself mighty in just minutes. I will share the story though it may seem silly. I was struggling with stuff one morning and Ed was in Tulsa. As I shared my discouragement with him I was at the window and saw my mule, Smokey, acting like he had a stomach ache. Stomach aches in horses and mules can be serious because they try to roll on their backs to get relief and many times if they roll all the way over they can twist their guts which is very bad. So Smokey is pawing at the ground, throwing his head around, rolling (not all the way over), and bucking. He did this over and over for quite a while. Ed prayed with me, I cried and Ed called Adam. Within just minutes Smokey walked over to the hay and started to eat. His “pain” must have passed and he was fine. Adam came and looked at him and he was good. In the middle of my weary moments the Lord showed me He was still right there and cared.
That’s what He is doing for all of us in every situation of our lives. I’m so thankful for the Lord in my life and His faithfulness. He is faithful when I am faithless. I rejoice in Him always and pray you see all He is doing in your life too. Have a blessed week knowing He loves you and your family. Continue to speak life! Sorry this is so scattered, just what’s on my heart today.