This will be written for the generation to come,
That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.
For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary;
From heaven the LORD viewed the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
To release those appointed to death,
To declare the name of the LORD in Zion,
And His praise in Jerusalem,
When the peoples are gathered together,
And the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
(Psalm 102:18-22)

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“Remember the Goodness of God”
By Jennifer Kane

Look down, O Lord Jesus, yet once again upon your servants,
You who walked among us, now seated in heavenly realms—
Let your gaze of mercy sweep across the weary earth,
And with compassion, hold close the cries and cares we bear.

You, my Lord, see the earth and know each hidden wound,
You notice our suffering and cradle our whispered prayers,
Hearing each groan and sigh from the souls burdened by hardship,
And in Your kindness, You incline Your ear to the lowly and afflicted.

Oh, my God, You break the bonds that chain hearts in despair,
Unbinding the wounded and lifting the hopeless,
Pouring the oil of joy on broken spirits,
And breathing into us the fresh air of life and renewed purpose.

Oh, Lord God, let Your name be declared from the rising sun to its setting,
Let the earth tremble with the sound of Your faithfulness,
As You gather Your people from every nation and shore,
To form a blessed kingdom, devoted to worship and truth.

My days are conceived within Your heart and mind,
Each moment known, each step prepared by Your hand—
I pray my life may be a living memorial to Your lovingkindness,
A testament to Your steadfast mercy and unchanging grace.

In the glorious liberty of being one of Your children, I rejoice,
No longer bound by fear, for in You, I am fully free,
I walk with the assurance of Your unfailing love,
Living each day to remember and proclaim the goodness of my God.

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Devotional: Remembering His Goodness

These verses call us to record God’s goodness so that future generations may know His love and kindness. The psalmist emphasizes that God’s blessings deserve to be written down—not only in memory but as testimonies for those yet to come. We write down the tragedies of history—wars, famine, and suffering—so how much more should we celebrate and document God’s kindness?

Our praise becomes a legacy, a gift preserved for those who will follow us. In the poem, too, it urges to “set up memorials of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses.” In doing so, we go beyond simply remembering; we are teaching future generations how God has worked in our lives and affirming that He will continue to do so in theirs.

God’s love for us existed even before we were formed. We were first “conceived in His heart and mind,” revealing His eternal love and care. This profound idea—God’s awareness of us before our birth—shows His desire to bless us and keep us within His love. Our lives, in return, are invitations to record His faithfulness as reminders of His presence, love, and deliverance.

The psalmist beautifully portrays God leaning down from heaven, attentive to our every need. God doesn’t simply observe from afar. He looks down, hears, acts, proclaims, gathers, and receives service from His people:

To see: God views the earth, noticing our suffering and our prayers.

To hear: God listens to our groanings, especially those burdened by hardship.

To act: God releases those bound by despair, granting new hope and life.

To proclaim: In Zion, His name and faithfulness are declared.

To gather: God gathers His people, forming a community dedicated to serving Him.

When we feel overwhelmed, like prisoners in need of release, these verses remind us that God is near. We can pray with the thought, “Look down, O Lord Jesus, yet once again upon your servants.” He hears, acts, and leads us into “the glorious liberty” of being His children.

What testimonies of God’s kindness can you write today? Begin by listing ways God has shown His love and faithfulness in your life. Consider how these stories of His goodness might encourage future generations to praise and trust Him. Write them down, sharing His love with others and leaving a legacy of gratitude and praise.

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Heavenly Father,
Thank You for seeing me, for hearing my cries, and for drawing near in love and compassion. In every moment of struggle and joy, You are present, faithful, and kind. Help me to remember Your works, not just in times of hardship but in the beauty of everyday blessings. Give me the courage and clarity to record Your goodness, so that future generations may know Your love and praise Your name.

Lord, may my life be a testimony of Your faithfulness. Let my words, my actions, and my stories reflect the kindness You have shown to me. Help me leave behind a legacy of hope, so that those yet to come may know they are loved by You, even before they draw their first breath.

In moments of weakness, lift me up. Set me free from any chains that hold me back and lead me into the fullness of life as Your child. May my praise, both spoken and written, glorify You now and always.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

October 28 2024