For the Veterans and their family members facing rental evictions, foreclosures, mounting medical bills, credit debts, utilities bills, and transportation problems . . . for the single-parent service member and Veteran . . . for widows of deceased Veterans, for the spouse considering a divorce . . . for the many thousands who have lost their loved ones, job, and life savings . . . there is HOPE.
The Bible says God made the first man and woman from the dust of the earth and breathed into them the breath of life and they became a living soul (Genesis 1:26–27). God loves us and wants us to have a fulfilling life with a purpose. Jesus said, “I have come that they (man and woman) may have life, and that they may have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
When sin entered the earth through Adam and Eve, it separated us (humankind) from the abundant life God intended for all human beings. The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one. For all have all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10, 23). “Wherefore, as by one-man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Every person is separated from God. Our iniquities have separated us from God. The consequences of sin is eternal separation from God and the “cost of sin is death.” (Roman 6:23)
Let us spend a few moments of your time to meditate on God’s reassuring words from the Psalms and the New Testaments about His Salvation, Comfort, and Hope.
Salvation
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
“What must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:30–31)
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
“Behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26)
Prayers
God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13)
And forgive all my sins. (Psalm 25:18)
Lord save me. (Matthew 14:30)
Why Is Prayer Important?
The Lord our God has promised to answer the prayers of his children when they pray.
“But know that the LORD had set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” (Psalm 4:3)
“If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry.” (Exodus 22:23)
“They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.” (Psalm 34:5)
“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3)
“He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” (Psalm 145:19)
“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)
Finding the Lord through the power of prayer is the key. You will have the answer to your prayers when you search for him with all your heart: “ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29:13–14)
Salvation: Prayers of Repentance
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3–19)
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30)
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
God’s Words of Comfort and Hope
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly . . . but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalms 1:1–2)
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2)
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
“In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me. Deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” (Psalm 30:1–5)
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit . . . and set my feet upon a rock and established my steps.” (Psalm 40:1–2)
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:1–2, 4, 6)
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
“Put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:16, 18)
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.” (2 Corinthians 7:1, 2)
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the gospel.” (Colossians 1:5)
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” (Psalm 31:24)
“For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16)
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“Jesus . . . said . . . he that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:43, 47)
“In my Father’s house are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2, 3)
The LORD Bless You
“The LORD bless you, and keep you:
The LORD make his face shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26)
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version and New King James Version of the Bible.
By Constance A. Burns, NAAV Contributor for Moments of Meditation and Spiritual Readings; email: cburns@naavets.org