Referring to our children being trained in the way of praise and thanksgiving, the Lord expresses several expectations for them—that they “may not be like their fathers,” (v. 8) and that “they may set their hope in God” (v. 7). Children who expect perfect parents will always be disappointed. At some point, parents will fail. But God still uses parents to direct children to the unfailing source of hope, God Himself. A generation will succeed as they turn their hope away from anything in this life and fasten their hope firmly on God.
In a world set on affixing blame for personal unhappiness and lifelong failure on the circumstances and people of our past, the Lord offers another pathway. As we focus on God’s faithfulness throughout history, we can rest in His unquestionable promise of securing our present and future too. His love for us is real and readily available each day. Learn to praise the Lord for all that He is, for all that He has done, and for a future He has promised to make bright with His presence.
