Day 26: The Recipe for Hope for the Generation That Follows

Focus Area - REACH FORWARD
Stretching Toward the Future

Scriptures: Psalm 78:1-7 (NLT)

Reflection: Faith is not a secret we keep, but a legacy we share. Your story provides the essential ingredients of hope for those coming after you. Don’t hide the recipe of God’s faithfulness—share it so the next generation learns to trust Him.

Expanded Focus:
This past holiday season, I made a few tasty treats, but three stood out: my pound cake, red velvet cake, and sweet potato pie.

I did not find these recipes through random Google searches; generations passed them down. My mother and aunts received them, learned from their mistakes, made adjustments, and shared what they learned so I wouldn’t face the same challenges. Someone took the time to share the goodness of baking with the next generation, which blesses my family and friends today. The authors of the recipes might be gone, but they are still impacting lives.

This experience mirrors Psalm 78:1–7. The Psalmist calls us not to “hide these truths” but to teach the next generation about the Lord’s power. Just as we preserve a family recipe to guarantee a sweet result, God commands us to recount His miracles, ensuring that future generations know Him, learn from past mistakes, and place their hope in God.

We can all reflect on “If it had not been for the Lord on my side…” moments in our lives. We must share these reflections with those following us. Tell them how God is a waymaker and a promise-keeper. Show them how He mends broken hearts and brings joy in the midst of sorrow. Share how God loves the imperfect and the impure. Through our faith journeys—whether good, bad, or ugly—we can empower the next generation to run on and see what the end will be. We must not remain silent; instead, we need to share our faith and tell our story. Let someone know there is hope, and that hope is in Jesus.

Questions to Consider:

1. What specific moment of God's faithfulness can you recall today?
2. Who in your life needs to hear your story this week?
3. What hard-earned lesson can you share to help someone else avoid the same mistake?