A Generation Not Yet Created

August 20

(Psalm 102:15-22 NIV) “The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. {16} For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. {17} He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. {18} Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: {19} "The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, {20} to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death." {21} So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem {22} when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord.”

(Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV) "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, {2} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, {3} and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. {4} They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."

When this Psalm was written, the author knew that it was being penned for a people who had not been born yet -- a generation not yet created. How awesome is that? God, in His glory and wisdom, inspired the writing of songs for a people who would live centuries later. His theme is a recurring one: God hears the cries of the destitute and the oppressed. He comes to comfort those who grieve. Places that were destroyed will be rebuilt. Lives that lay in ruins will be restored. Nations and kingdoms will come to His holy city, and the name of the Lord will be praised. People will once again fear God, and His glorious light will shine for all to see. This is our future, people of God. This is the promise of the Lord to those who put their trust in Him. These were His words to a generation not yet created. Believe God today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day