We often are not recognized for our sacrifice and contribution to mankind until after death. Many suffer death on account of devotion to a faith and/or righteous cause. One who takes a stand against oppression, unjust rule, or racism, suffering persecution and death are sometimes remembered as one who took a stance for the people. In the martyrdom narrative of a reminiscing society, one who advocated for his people by renouncing tyranny is looked upon favorably but typically after death.
The business of history is muddled in the minds of those who were there during its making. Future generations learn of times before their birth predicated around the memories of previous generations. It is rational to say that depending on which side of a dispute one’s loyalty lies, affects their remembrance of issues of their day. Those who inflict persecution and their descendants may have a totally different perception of history than those upon whom persecution was and is inflicted. The older generations, regardless, to which side of history their loyalty lied, were subjected to the effects of imperialism. Therefore, we find that older generations cleave to power far longer than is sensible.
With different generations existing collectively on earth at the same time, views of future world order contrast broadly based on many factors like race, income, social economic standing, and even gender.
- Baby Boomer – 1946-1964
- Generation X – 1965-1980
- Millennials – 1981-1996
- Generation Z – 1997-current
The major difference between the old and new generations is technology. In the hands of the new generation, technology has empowered them to the point of desiring to throw out all previous systems of restriction and start anew. Like Joshua of biblical days, the new generation goes into the heart of imminent or existing storms of the world, as if pursuing tornadoes that pose great personal risk. It is often youth on the side of those in pursuit of severe circumstances.
But youth combined with the power of God’s word can uphold biblical principle, and the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against the enemy, when they come in like a flood. Our God will put them to flight, for He will come like a rushing stream.
When we stand firm on a position, there can be an expectation of opposition. However, we can rest in the knowledge of knowing our God given mission. It is now that we pick up our 12 stones, for our history is tied to the stones. We realize that our father’s started our journey to the promise land. Like the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan River, we await our Lord’s orders to be sent out with authority to perform a special service. For the offense is more diverse in this season. Our great mission, which we carry out for spiritual and political purpose, required many years of wandering in the wilderness. The previous generation is dead; in this season the task at hand is to give chase of the enemy, to obtain the land promised by God. By faith, we step into the tempest; our God will meet us in the midst of the storm.
Joshua 4:1-6
4 “And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying,
2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests’ feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?”
Joshua 4:19
19 “And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.”
Isaiah 59:19
19 “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”