Unborn Millions

In 2 Samuel 23: 20, we read about one of King David’s mighty men named Benaiah: “Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day.” Benaiah is one of my favorite people in the Bible!

The following is an excerpt from a book in my library called “Chase the Lion.” The book is about Benaiah and the mindset he had to Chase the Lion!

“Before the battle of Long Island, General George Washington reminded his troops whom they were fighting for. It wasn’t just for their freedom as first-generation Americans. ‘The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army.’ One hundred fifty years later Abraham Lincoln was trying to get the Thirteenth Amendment, which would abolish slavery, through Congress. Two votes short, Lincoln appealed to the Republican caucus: ‘The abolition of slavery by constitutional provision settles the fate, for all…time, not only of the millions now in bondage, but of unborn millions to come – a measure of such importance that these two votes must be procured.’

Washington and Lincoln had their eyes on the third and fourth generation. That’s who they were fighting for. Their dream wasn’t about them. It was about the next generation and the generation after that. Just as Washington and Lincoln were fighting for the next generation of Americans, David and his mighty men were fighting for the next generation of Jews. A kingdom hung in the balance…. Like our founding fathers, David’s mighty men mutually pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to their cause, their calling. And the rest is history. Their heroic deeds are long remembered, long considered.”

Rereading this portion of the book stood out to me! Think about the daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly choices we make. What we do right now will have a ripple effect for years, decades, and centuries to come! What is it that we want to pass on to our children, their children, and future generations? There are many answers one could give. Some will leave behind a financial inheritance. Others will leave behind a name that’s been in the family for generations. For some, it may be the legacy of attending the same university as their parents and grandparents attended. Our children may even follow in the footsteps of our careers and hobbies! All of these are fantastic!

The most important thing we can share with our children and grandchildren and hope to leave as an example for them to follow in is in faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ! In Psalm 78, we read the following: “Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old, Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children” Psalm 78:1-6. All of this is exciting and maybe even a little intimidating to read. But it provides us with the prospective, vision, courage, and commitment we are to have in our families and even as a local congregation.

What we do right now (The Bible studies, seeking the lost, encouraging one another, weeping and rejoicing with one another, and rebuking some) is for now and the future! We can learn so much from the generation that came before us. We can help build the current generation that’s growing up right in front of our eyes. By doing so, we are also helping the unborn who will come long after we die! Listening to the little children quote memory verses in the foyer each Sunday is building the next generation. Hosting junior high/high school devotionals is helping to build the next generation.

Taking time to read God’s word as a family is preparing the next generation and beyond! I’m thankful for the godly families at West Main. Your labor in the Lord is a blessing now and even for those yet to be born!