"When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel" (Judges 2:10 NKJV).

Just one generation after Joshua dies, another generation rose up who did not know God nor the mighty work He had done for their nation through the leadership of Joshua. Winston Churchill was turned out of office after leading England to triumph in World War II. We are always only one generation away from becoming barbarians.

A vicious cycle began after Joshua's death. Israel did evil, forsook God, were conquered by their enemies, cried out to God, repented, were delivered by men and women known as "Judges," served God for awhile, and then went back to their besetting sin (usually idolatry). The Book of Judges ends on this bleak note: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (21:25). What a "history lesson" for us! May we honor the generation before us by following what they taught us and modeled for us. And may we bless the next generation by passing on to them, in word and deed, that which is right!

Song/Prayer: O, may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe, and the lives we live inspire them to obey. (Steve Green)