Psalm 102 carries this header in my New International Version Bible: A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.

The writer indeed pours out anguish and despair. My days are like the evening shadow, I wither away like grass. I appreciate the honesty with which the writer approaches the Lord. It reminds me that I can take anything to Him. Intellectually I know this, but to read another person’s lament helps me feel that truth in my bones.

Then the psalmist turns to the greatness of the Lord. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but…you remain the same, and your years will never end.

To finish, this writer of lament and praise closes with hope—The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.

That’s intriguing—how do I bless my children and their descendants in this way? Clearly, leaving a legacy of blessing carries great value. An old Greek proverb says that a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit. How do I plant spiritual shade trees?

One way is to engage with the Holy Scriptures and allow them to influence my life. The Word of God forms the servant of God. Time spent in scripture benefits me and you, but it also blesses our children, grandchildren and future descendants—even those we’ll never meet on this earth. For those without children, you bless those around you and their future families.

Children yet born benefit from our chosen acts of serving God. When I read my Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to knead those words deep into my life, I bless generations still to follow.

Psalm102 in week fifty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Jan Huber