Hope for Every Generation By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

My sweet friends, it seems we find ourselves in uncharted waters. Schools are closed, sporting events canceled, businesses surviving through online interaction and curbside pickup options. “Social distancing” and “COVID-19” are the new buzz words on television and social media. All things that would have been unthinkable just a couple of months ago. In the past, there have been so many days that I wished to take a nap or just read a good book or take a break from life, but knew I couldn’t because the world wouldn’t stand still…well now it has. So what do we do with all of this?

Fear, anxiety, and uncertainty are the first words that come to mind when I think of the situation we find ourselves in. If you watch the news for very long, those are certainly emotions that you will be feeling. Along with concerns for the health of our family and friends, many of us are faced with a period of financial instability as well. I cannot help but think that Satan is having a hey-day. He loves the confusion and desperation and agitation this virus is causing in our lives. He is hoping that in this mess, we lose sight of the One who holds us all together, that our fear outweighs our faith. And that we lose all ability to say “it is well with our souls.” But we will not let him win.

The truth is that throughout history, other generations have faced worse. World War 1 and 2, along with The Great Depression, among other events, also brought these same emotions times 100. And through loss and grief and pain, our country and world rose again. I believe, in part, because they remembered the faithfulness of God…and shared it with the next generations.

Psalm 78:1-5 says, “O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying…I will teach you hidden lessons from our past…We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about His power and His mighty wonders…He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children so that the next generation might know them-even the children not yet born, and they, in turn, will teach their children.”

My grandmama and mama have done this. They have shared the goodness of God with me as I’ve grown. The faithfulness and grace and mercy and hope that He brings. Not just in theory, but the reality of what they have witnessed in their own lives. And now, my heart is spurred on to share with my children and their future children, and all of you. But the psalmist didn’t stop there. He went on to say:

“So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.
Then they will not be like their ancestors-stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.”
Psalm 78:7-8

You see, it is a blessing that I had women in my family who shared the “reason for the hope that they have.” That they followed the instructions of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and repeatedly reminded me of God’s faithfulness, but the truth is, I can’t ride the coattails of those who have come before me. My faith can’t be their faith.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God.

There are those of you who are thinking, “I didn’t have that. No one in my family believed in God before me.” And for you, I offer the amazing encouragement that you are a new generation. The choices of your ancestors do not have to be the choices you and your children make.

So each generation should set its hope anew on God.

Y’all, our hope cannot be in ourselves. Or our doctors. Or hand sanitizer. Or the stock market. Or hand washing. Or President Trump and others in leadership. None of those have the power to save us.

Our hope must be set, tuned in, anew each morning to the One, the only One, who has the power to overcome this virus and all that comes with it. And what a time to grab hold of it!

The Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Mighty God, Lord of Everything, Emmanuel, Great I Am, Prince of Peace, Living God, Saving Grace, Ancient of Days, Alpha, Omega, Beginning, End, Savior, Messiah, and Redeemer will not fail us.

If we seek Him, each generation, anew each morning, with all of our hearts, we will find Him.
Let’s find Him, y’all, and cling to the hope that comes with Him.

Hope for healing, hope for restoration, hope for normalcy, but more than anything,
hope that every single soul on this planet will have eyes truly able to see and ears truly able to hear the Truth of who our Lord is, the hope that He brings, and the saving grace that only He can give because of this trial.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”
1 Peter 3:15

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him
if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Deuteronomy 4:29