Psalm 78:1–8
Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! – Psalm 78:1
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As we approach our church’s 128th anniversary, Psalm 78:1–8 gives us a timely reminder of how God’s people are called to celebrate His faithfulness and pass it on to the generations that follow.
The psalmist begins with a call to attention: “Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!” (v. 1). What follows is a retelling of God’s mighty acts in history—His saving power, His covenant promises, and His steadfast love, even in the face of Israel’s failures. The phrase “I will open my mouth in a parable” indicates that the lesson will be conveyed through storytelling, drawing from what Israel had heard and known from their ancestors. Their story was meant to be told again and again, so that every generation would remember the Lord’s faithfulness and walk in His ways.
This is the heart of Psalm 78: remembering and retelling. Memory fuels faith. Forgetting leads to unbelief, but remembering anchors us in trust. That is why God commanded His people to teach their children His statutes, so that “the next generation might know them… so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (vv. 6–7).
As we celebrate 128 years of God’s goodness to our church, we are standing in a long line of believers who remembered and retold the story of God’s grace. Generations before us prayed, served, gave, and witnessed faithfully. Because of their obedience and trust in responding with faith to the challenges particular to their era, we are here today, enjoying the fruits of their faith.
But Psalm 78 also sounds a warning. Israel’s ancestors were described as “a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God” (v. 8). This passage serves as both an instruction for the present generation and a warning against repeating the mistakes of past generations. Faith is never inherited automatically. Each generation must personally trust God, obey Him, and carry forward the testimony of His faithfulness.
That is our challenge today. Having received 128 years of blessings, how will we become a blessing to others? How can we as a church ensure that we stay true to the mission entrusted to us and are counted as his good and faithful stewards? How will we ensure that the next generation not only hears about God’s mighty works but also comes to trust Him and walk in His ways?
Our calling is clear: remember God’s faithfulness, rejoice in His blessings, and retell His deeds to the next generation. May we be faithful stewards of the legacy entrusted to us, so that long after us, future generations will still proclaim: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).
Reflection：
1. As our church celebrates 128 years, what are some specific ways you have personally experienced God’s faithfulness?
2. In what ways can you help the next generation in our church not only know about God’s deeds but also trust Him personally?
3. How can we, as a church community, turn God’s blessings into opportunities to be a blessing “from generation to generation”?
Prayer:
Almighty and gracious Lord, we thank You for Your care and blessings upon FMC. As we remember Your faithfulness and abundant grace, help us to declare Your goodness and bear witness to Your steadfast love. Strengthen our trust that You will continue to guide us in the days ahead. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us to be faithful to the mission You have entrusted to us, and make us channels of Your blessing from generation to generation. In Jesus‘ name we pray, Amen.
Click to read
As we approach our church’s 128th anniversary, Psalm 78:1–8 gives us a timely reminder of how God’s people are called to celebrate His faithfulness and pass it on to the generations that follow.
The psalmist begins with a call to attention: “Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!” (v. 1). What follows is a retelling of God’s mighty acts in history—His saving power, His covenant promises, and His steadfast love, even in the face of Israel’s failures. The phrase “I will open my mouth in a parable” indicates that the lesson will be conveyed through storytelling, drawing from what Israel had heard and known from their ancestors. Their story was meant to be told again and again, so that every generation would remember the Lord’s faithfulness and walk in His ways.
This is the heart of Psalm 78: remembering and retelling. Memory fuels faith. Forgetting leads to unbelief, but remembering anchors us in trust. That is why God commanded His people to teach their children His statutes, so that “the next generation might know them… so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments” (vv. 6–7).
As we celebrate 128 years of God’s goodness to our church, we are standing in a long line of believers who remembered and retold the story of God’s grace. Generations before us prayed, served, gave, and witnessed faithfully. Because of their obedience and trust in responding with faith to the challenges particular to their era, we are here today, enjoying the fruits of their faith.
But Psalm 78 also sounds a warning. Israel’s ancestors were described as “a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God” (v. 8). This passage serves as both an instruction for the present generation and a warning against repeating the mistakes of past generations. Faith is never inherited automatically. Each generation must personally trust God, obey Him, and carry forward the testimony of His faithfulness.
That is our challenge today. Having received 128 years of blessings, how will we become a blessing to others? How can we as a church ensure that we stay true to the mission entrusted to us and are counted as his good and faithful stewards? How will we ensure that the next generation not only hears about God’s mighty works but also comes to trust Him and walk in His ways?
Our calling is clear: remember God’s faithfulness, rejoice in His blessings, and retell His deeds to the next generation. May we be faithful stewards of the legacy entrusted to us, so that long after us, future generations will still proclaim: “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).
Reflection：
1. As our church celebrates 128 years, what are some specific ways you have personally experienced God’s faithfulness?
2. In what ways can you help the next generation in our church not only know about God’s deeds but also trust Him personally?
3. How can we, as a church community, turn God’s blessings into opportunities to be a blessing “from generation to generation”?
Prayer:
Almighty and gracious Lord, we thank You for Your care and blessings upon FMC. As we remember Your faithfulness and abundant grace, help us to declare Your goodness and bear witness to Your steadfast love. Strengthen our trust that You will continue to guide us in the days ahead. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us to be faithful to the mission You have entrusted to us, and make us channels of Your blessing from generation to generation. In Jesus‘ name we pray, Amen.