A Week of HopeSample

Generational Promises

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands. -- Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT)

The Lord is faithful to keep His promises. His blessings extend far beyond what we could ever hope or imagine, making an impact far beyond our reach. When the Lord blesses, it overflows from your life and impacts generations beyond you. Our hope is found in what He can do in impossible situations.

This was true for a woman named Hannah, who put her hope in the Lord. You’ll find her story in our reading today. She was unable to have a child and was begging the Lord for one. Her grief and anguish were on display as her body heaved and she mumbled out her prayer to the Lord.

After a brief conversation with Eli, the High Priest, he told her that God would bless her by honoring her request. She left the temple filled with hope for what God would do. Because of God’s faithfulness, what was promised to her came true. She had a child and named him Samuel, which means, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

Samuel’s life was remarkable. He was the final judge for the nation of Israel, leading them to victories against their enemies. He was the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies in the temple. He anointed Israel’s first king, Saul. He also anointed Israel’s second king, David, from whom the line of Jesus comes.

We can have hope because the Lord can do the impossible, but the impact that His blessing will make when He does the impossible is immeasurable. When Hannah went before the Lord, she prayed for a personal blessing, but God blessed Israel and the world through her. When God blesses, it is not isolated. Our hope is found in Him, but its impact will be seen generations later.

Next Step

Ask the Lord for the help you need. Take a moment to praise Him for the hope found in Jesus Christ and thank Him for the impact He will make through His generational promises.