The Lord Has Been Our Dwelling Place From Generation to Generation

The Lord Has Been Our Dwelling Place From Generation to Generation

Moses was able to say this. He had heard about God’s arm of salvation going back to the days of Abraham—how God had helped from generation to generation, and he himself continued to see God’s protection of His people. This was a tremendous inheritance to have. Israel erected many memorial stones that were meant to be a witness to succeeding generations of God’s faithfulness. This became a great help to them in times to come. When they came into need, they knew where they could get help.

This is how God wants to be to all of us, but there are only a few generations that have this attitude. Most parents have nothing but their disappointments to relate to their children. Everything their parents have told them and everything they remember themselves is a hopeless striving and plans that have gone awry. Life is like a game of chance from generation to generation—good luck and bad luck. Everything happened without any understanding or place of refuge. When they look into the future, it is as if it were a thick fog without a single fixed point or a guideline for their life. Their inheritance is only a spirit of covetousness that causes them to be dissatisfied with everything.

Israel was totally different. They had received God’s laws on which they could build their lives and which they could teach to their children. It wasn’t just bad luck when things went badly; they understood that it was because of disobedience, and they knew the way out of their situation. They did not fight by beating the air, for God was their refuge. They could sit down and tell their children of how God had helped them in marvelous ways. But that wasn’t the only thing; they could also look forward to a great joy. Abraham sat in his tent and spoke with Isaac and Jacob about the city that had firm foundations of which God was the builder and maker. He told them that they shouldn’t be satisfied with corruptible things, but that they should live for that which is incorruptible. The children of Israel received an inheritance in the spirit of faith that set them free from all anxiety and caused them to sing songs of praise instead of complaining.

Now we live in the days when God is building the city with firm foundations. It is the New Jerusalem that will descend out of heaven, adorned as a bride for her Bridegroom. Rev. 21:9-11. We read that she was adorned with the glory of God. Just as those who lived in the old covenant shared in an earthly glory and conquered other nations that were enemies, so we shall receive God’s glory and conquer sin and Satan in all shapes and forms. This is where we will experience God’s arm of salvation, just as ancient Israel did. We do not gain this glory and these victories without being aware of them. We, too, have abundant opportunities to erect memorial stones that remind us of God’s marvelous intervention and transforming power. Just as ancient Israel had God’s laws written on tablets of stone and were to live according to them, so we have received His laws into our heart and mind. If we keep them exactly, we will truly become the light and salt in this world. The light of the city was like jasper stone, clear as crystal. This is what needs to be evident in our life. But this is where sin in the flesh is so active in most people’s lives that the commandments God writes in their hearts do not shine with crystal clarity. The flesh shrinks back, makes allowances, and waters down the commandments, so that they become so diluted with human understanding that people become worldly. 1 Tim. 6:14. Such people know that there is a God, but they cannot be to His praise. There is no evidence in their lives that proves it to their fellowmen. Therefore they usually say, “Don’t look at me; look at Jesus.” Paul, on the other hand, had received mercy that in him first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering as a pattern to those who would believe on Him for everlasting life. 1 Tim. 1:16. Therefore Paul also gave the exhortation to follow his example and to note those who so walked, as they had him for a pattern. One could see God’s glory in their walk. They were examples of God’s transforming power. Such people become like Mount Zion. They are not sorely tempted if they are accused of teaching false doctrine, for they know the Word that is able to save their souls. Jas. 1:21. They are not afraid when the wise men of this world rise up against them, for they know that the world’s wisdom is foolishness with God. 1 Cor. 3:19. They do not become uneasy if the masses rise up as one against them, for they have salvation as a wall and praises as their gates. Isa. 60:18. They know that just as God has been their helper before, so He will be their helper now. They know that it is nothing new that the unfaithful persecute the faithful. They can continue to be in rest, for they know from experience that every tongue that rises against them in judgment will be condemned. Their gates are praises. You don’t hear anything else from their mouth. God has been their dwelling place from generation to generation. Oh, how great it is to have such spiritual fathers! How blessed it is for the younger ones to have such elders who can say, “Pay heed to me. See what God has done in my life. How mighty His Word is to save a lost sinner; yes, even the greatest. Follow me, just as I have followed Christ.”

Yes, blessed are those who meet such leaders. They do not need to continue in uncertainty or beat the air, but they can receive clear guidelines for their lives, and peace and mercy will be with them. Phil. 4:9.