August 4, 2025 Devo

“Generational curses.” Have you ever heard that term? It’s a phrase that’s often used to describe issues that have plagued family lines generation after generation. It might refer to addictions like alcoholism that seem to be handed off like a baton from parents to their kids. It might be education. Many families have a history of not valuing college or even high school degrees. Therefore, many grow up feeling they can’t or shouldn’t pursue schooling. Sometimes it’s abuse. By far and away, parents who abuse their children were themselves abused. And on and on it goes.
I thought of this trend when I read our passage today. Some felt the things they were going through was a direct punishment from God because of the sins their ancestors committed. But it wasn’t actually God punishing them. It was the consequences of growing up with family leaders who lived in disobedience to God. The choices those parents and grandparents made to live that way had repercussions on those who came after them. Their behavior also became a model for the younger generations to follow. All you know is all you know. So many new generations simply repeat what was lived out in front of them.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Just as our passage is a prayer for the mercy and deliverance of God for the people of their day, it can be a prayer for the mercy and deliverance of God for US. God can break generational curses. All it takes is ONE PERSON to choose to follow God with all their heart and to invite His healing into their lives. That ONE PERSON becomes the beginning of a whole new line of generations with a new model to follow. Think about that for a moment. The decisions you make TODAY can have a life-changing impact for generations to come. What a gift to give your children, your children’s children, and your children’s children’s children.
Our God is not only a merciful God, He is a POWERFUL God. He can break any chains that have bound your family and empower you to do great things. I can introduce you to individuals who were the FIRST in their family history to break free of addiction. I can introduce you to people who were the FIRST to graduate high school or pursue a college degree. I can introduce you to people who were the FIRST to commit to Christ and become devoted followers of His. Be the FIRST in your family! Cry out to the Lord as the writers of our passage did. Ask God to set you on a different path than those who came before you. Turn your “generational curses” into “generational blessings.” Your children and grandchildren will thank you. That’s God’s Word for you today.