Generational Sins
Sharon W. Betters
TODAY’S TREASURE
Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need (Psalm 78:8).
Dear Friends,
The statement, “Jesus is on every page of the Old Testament,” confused me. I started looking, and in time, I began to see the truth of these words. Every story reveals another layer of our Redemption. From the story of creation to the last chapter of Revelation, the Lord reveals His story of salvation for His people. Starting with Adam and Eve, we see the battle between good and evil, between Satan and God. Dig deep, and the record of God’s protection of the seed of the Messiah will fill you with hope in the answer to the question, “Is God a man that He can lie?” As we watch Him keep His covenantal promises, we can conclude He cannot lie, and He will keep all of His promises to us.
The story of the sons of Korah gives us a sweet glimpse into the justice, mercy, and grace of our God. At first glance, it seems a picture of devastation and despair. And on some levels, it is. But think about the mercy threaded throughout. God gave an opportunity for people to repent of their sin of rebellion. He told them to move away from Korah’s gang. Through Korah, the Lord called the people to repentance. Then, years later, we see our Lord lifting the Sons of Korah to a place of service and honor. He does not hold them responsible for their father’s sin. In fact, The Lord brings beauty from Korah’s seed. David welcomed them as “mighty warriors.” But more important than knowing how to go to war, the sons of Korah were worship leaders during the time of David. David, himself a musician, put together a “music program” that included Heman the Korahite as a singer (Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman the singer, the son of Joel, son of Samuel… I Chronicles 31:33b). They led the procession when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem.
But don’t miss this reference to Samuel’s birth. We talked at length about Hannah in a previous devotional, but there is even more of the story of Jesus than I realized. Samuel, the son for whom Hannah prayed, is a descendant of the sons of Korah on his father’s (Elkanah) side. Elkanah was a faithful man of God. Can you see it? Redemption is all of grace, flowing from our Lord’s heart of love for His people. We cannot do anything to earn it; it is a gift of God. The Psalms attributed to the sons of Korah reflect their understanding that they were recipients of unearned grace, and their hearts overflowed with gratitude. Today, we not only go to these Psalms for comfort, but we also sing many of them, just as they did:
As the deer pants for the flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God (Psalm 42:1).
How lovely is your dwelling place, O God (Psalm 84:1).
May our understanding of God’s love flow out into a life of grace and ministry designed to show Jesus to everyone we meet.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Now that you know their story, read their Psalms and watch for references to their past and how the history of their forefather deepened their understanding of God’s sovereignty and love:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Was the writer thinking about the past? Did his family history strike some fear into his heart? Is this perhaps why he then wrote: Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).
Pick out one of the Psalms written by or for the Sons of Korah. Prayerfully read and soak in the words all week and ask the Lord to show you Jesus in these ancient words (Psalm 42; 44–40; 84-85; 87-88).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Sunday, 12 June 2022.
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