Psalms 78:6 “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”
To “arise and declare” is to bravely stand up in faithful obedience to the Lord and His Word, and teach It to our children, even if It is not popular, even if great multitudes oppose It, even if many are hostile towards It, and even if It runs contrary to our own carnal desires. The more we learn about the Word of God, the stronger we become and the more courage we have in our Lord’s service. To “arise” is to stand up tall and strong and push back against social opposition, governmental opposition, and our own weaknesses. Paul puts it like this: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (I Corinthians 16:13); that is, like a well trained and experienced “good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Timothy 2:3). And, he tells us how to do it: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:11-13); and, then he explains the seven parts of “the whole armour of God” (Ephesians 6:14-18). This is not some trivial poetic filler in the Word of God, it is God’s Commandment to us, that must be obeyed, else we greatly imperil ourselves. Now is the time for the faithful Children of God to “arise” (Stand Up) “and declare” the Word of God to the generations that have not been taught It; so, “let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Romans 13:12), “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14:19), “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” (Hebrews 4:1), “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16); and “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” (Mark 5:19)!