It’s the 1st of December! We are officially 24 days away from Christmas 😊 In years past, there were a few times where I lost my holiday cheer. Not that I forgot the reason for the season. I just lost that kid-like bubbly feeling one normally feels as we inch closer to the holiday.
But now that I have a daughter, I have a renewed sense of excitement for Christmas.
I’m looking forward to seeing her beautiful smile stretched across her face as she opens her gifts. She’s only two, so it isn’t that hard to please her. Fingers cros… no, prayers up that it will always be easy to see her smile.
Any decent parent wants to give their children great gifts. But realistically, sometimes we can’t afford to give our children top-of-the-line gifts without making tough sacrifices or out-right breaking the bank. But if you can’t make sugar-plums dance in their heads from your physically gifts, then set them up to have spiritual fruit dance all about them in the future. Set them up for generational blessings.
“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”
(2 Samuel 9:7 NIV)
I was reading this scripture about Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson and Jonathan’s son. Mephibosheth came from a line of royalty. But because his Grandfather Saul forfeited the kingdom due to disobedience, Mephibosheth was unable to live as a royal. He never expected to have a life better than the one he lived because of the actions of his grandfather.
But because of the actions of his father, Jonathan, Mephibosheth was summoned by King David. David loved Jonathan. They were the very best of friends. Jonathan looked out for David when he was on the run from Saul. David was devastated when he received the news of Jonathan’s death. So, David made it his business to ensure to bless anyone in Saul’s bloodline for the sake of Jonathan.
Now, pause with me for a second. I am sure Mephibosheth thought the generational curse caused by his Grandfather Saul was a curse that he would have to endure for the rest of his life. Although David did not order it, once he became Saul’s successor a few people from Saul’s bloodline was killed.
I can imagine Mephibosheth was terrified. He went from being a royal to an outcast in the eyes of many. Mephibosheth was also crippled in his feet due to being dropped as an infant. It appeared the curses wouldn’t let up for him. But because of his father’s actions, he was blessed. Jonathan’s blessing overpowered Saul’s curse.
This article isn’t necessarily about generational curses. But if you have curses of poverty, drunkenness, broken homes, or whatever it may be—you fill in the blank— be encouraged. Curses can be broken. Yes, that curse may have started with one relative, but another relatives’ prayers just may be the blessing to break the curse.
Mephibosheth was ordered to set and dine at the king’s table for the rest of his life. This wasn’t a one-time event. King David gave everything that belonged to Saul to Mephibosheth. David also commanded one of Saul’s old servants to farm the land Mephibosheth was given and to bring him the fruit thereof. Jonathan’s actions blessed Mephibosheth so much that verse 11 of the text states Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.
Look at how favor and blessings from Jonathan’s way of life trickled down to his son. I encourage each and every parent or guardian to live a life that will cause a trickle effect. I want blessings to fall into the laps of my children and children’s children simply because of how I live. I want the same for you and your family…and it will happen for us if we abide under God’s Word.
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
(Deuteronomy 28:4 NIV)
These were promises made to the children of Israel so long as they obeyed God’s commandments. God will, not probably, but will bless our children if we walk accordingly. God will also protect them.
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
(Proverbs 14:26 NIV)
We can gift our children with blessings and protection. There’s not a videogame, action figure, or doll ever created that can compare to spiritual gifts passed down from our ancestors. When your child stands in need of protection from the enemy or from this evil world, God will cover them. But most importantly, if we live a life under God’s will, our children won’t only benefit from our prayers and actions but they'll benefit from their own.
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
(2 Timothy 1:5 NIV)
When we teach our children about God and live a life that reflects our love and reverence for Him, our faith can be inherited by our children. We live in a world where talks of generational wealth is prevalent. And don’t get me wrong. I want generational wealth for me and my family just as much as the next person. But generational wealth means nothing if it doesn’t include knowledge and faith in God. In fact, generational wealth is knowledge and faith in God.
Reader, if you are a parent or guardian of any kind, gift your children generational blessings. May our children, grandchildren, and entire bloodline have blessings that appear to fall out of nowhere. But praise be to God, they won’t be from any ol’ where. They’ll be from God’s grace and our prayers and actions.
And if you don’t have children, you can still gift those around you just from how you live. In Isaiah 37:35, God stated, “I will defend this city and save it for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.” Look at how David’s faithfulness saved a city. In Genesis 18, God said He would save the city of Sodom if there were at least 10 righteous people in the city.
Look at how Joesph’s brothers were blessed by Pharoah just because of Joesph. Look at how the children of Israel were blessed just for Jacob’s sake in Isaiah 45. And look at us. We can inherit the blessings of Abraham because of Abraham’s faithfulness.
So, in this beautiful holiday season, lead a righteous life. Not just for the blessings and favor you will receive, but for the blessings that can trickle down from generation to generation. Lead a righteous life so that it may benefit those around you. May you and your entire bloodline be blessed today and for generations to come because you decided to live a life for God.
I bid you all a farewell. In the meantime, go ahead, set up your children, grands, and great grands for those generational blessings. Or if that doesn’t fit the bill, set up those in close proximity to you like your friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Either way, choose to be a blessing to others in this holiday season and every season of your life.
May God bless you and keep you. Take care and I wish you all an early Merry Christmas!