Things Will Get Better
When things aren’t going well for you
And times aren’t what they should be.
Just focus on the positive
And think about what could be.
Acknowledge what has happened –
Don’t lose sight of lessons pass –
But don’t allow the negative
Distracting thoughts to last.
Take what you’ve learned and start from there;
Draw strength from your frustration,
And let this added sense of purpose
Be your new foundation.
It’s hard to follow any plan
Precisely to the letter.
Though Life right now is difficult,
Things will in time get better.
- Bruce B. Wilmer
The Bible says that the Lord God offers His love to the whole world, as we read in one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
The Bible says: “The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.” (Proverbs 15:9)
“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psalm 1:6)
By God’s standard of righteousness even the most moral person is looked upon by God as a desperate sinner on his way to hell. The Bible teaches that no one is good enough in himself to
go to Heaven. On the contrary, we are all sinners, and we are all guilty before God.
“As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after.” (Romans 3:10-11)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
The Bible teaches that at the end of the world all the wicked will come under eternal punishment in a place called Hell and the Lake of Fire.
“For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction.” (Deuteronomy 32:22-24)
Indeed, Hell or the Lake of Fire is very real, and things are that bad for the individual who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. The Bible makes many references to Hell and the Lake of Fire, indicating it is both eternal and consists of perpetual suffering.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
“So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:49-50)
“… the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (II Thessalonians 1:7-9)
Hell, and the Lake of Fire is terrible, and it exists because God created humankind to be accountable to God for his actions. God’s perfect justice demands payment for sin.
“For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (II Corinthians 5:10)
“But I say unto you, that every idle word that, men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)
At the end of the world everyone will be brought to life again to be judged and then be sent to Hell and/or Lake of Fire. Unless we can find someone to be our substitute in bearing the
punishment of eternal damnation for our sins. That someone is God Himself, who came to earth as Jesus Christ to bear the wrath of God for all who believe and have faith in Him.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (I Corinthians 15:3-4)
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be make the righteousness of God in him.” (II Corinthians 5:21)
Therefore, if we trust in Christ as our substitute, who was already punished for our sins, then we will not have to go to Hell or the Lake of Fire anymore. And, if we believe in Christ as our Savior, then it is as if we have already stood before the Judgment Throne of God. Jesus Christ our Lord is our substitute has already paid for our sins.
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
Believing on Christ means a whole lot more than agreeing in our minds with truths of the Bible. It means that we entrust every part of our lives to the truths of the Bible. It means that we must turn away from our sins and serve Christ our LORD.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
We must all remember that God is the only one who can help us (humankind). We must place ourselves on the mercies of God for we are all hopeless sinners who must cry out to God to save us through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up as much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
“… Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved …” (Acts 16:30-31)
God wants us to come to Him in total humility, acknowledging our sinfulness and our helplessness, trusting totally in Him for forgiveness of our sins.
“Saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.” (Isaiah 66:2b)
Because we are all sinners, we must begin to pray to God and repent of our sins, and if we are sincere about wanting to change and desire salvation, you will begin to turn from sin as God strengthens you through the Holy Spirit.
The Bible says the end of the earth will come when our Lord Jesus Christ has saved all He will saved.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:14)
At the end of the world those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior will be transformed into their glorious eternal bodies and will be with Christ forevermore.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17)
God will destroy the entire universe by fire at the end of the millennium and create new heavens and a new earth where Christ will reign with His believers forevermore.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up … Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (II Peter 3:10, 13)
The LORD God gives us information in the Bible regarding the end times of history of the world and He tells us that “no one knows the day or the hour and that He will come as a thief.” (Matthew 24:36 and 1 Thessalonians 5:2) He will come as a thief for the unsaved and not as a thief for the born again of the water and the spirit believers. There is much evidence in the Bible that the end times and the return of Christ is very near even at the doors! (Matthew 24:33)
“For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealed his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
God warned ancient Nineveh that He was going to destroy that great city and He gave them forty days warning. The Bible also warns us that the end is very near.
“And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, yet Forth days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” (Jonah 3:4)
From the king on down they humbled themselves before God, repented of their sins, and cried to God for mercy. The king said: “But let man and beast covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:8-9)
God heard their prayers and saved many people in Nineveh. Today, we can still cry to God for mercy so that we will not come into His judgment as in the days of Nineveh. There is still time to become saved even though that time is becoming very short.
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” (Hebrews 2:3)
Prayer of Salvation
Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins, and I ask You to forgive me. I open the door of my heart and receive You as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life and begin making me that person you want me to be. Thank you, Lord Jesus for saving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“Thou shalt mediate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for… then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
Your daily walk with the Lord should include reading your Bible every day; talking to God in prayer daily and finding a church where the Bible is taught as the Word of God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan for my life on earth. Holy Father, please provide your daily guidance and wisdom to do Your work here on earth. I am committed to fulfilling my
purpose You have given me. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which You have
called me through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Almighty Lord, I trust You to lead me on Life’s journey. I am open and ready for Your guidance and wisdom. Holy Father, help me take the necessary steps to make Your plans You have given me a reality and guide me to make each day be for Your praise, glory and honor. Like Jonah, I know You will always bring me out of danger and that You will never forsake me. Grant me the courage to change my expectations and wants if that is Your will for me. Loving Father, thank You for guiding me and my family through uncertain times. Lord God, please help me to rest quietly in Your presence where no words are necessary. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
All Scripture verses are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
By Constance A. Burns, NAAV Moments and Meditation and Scripture Readings Contributor; email: cburns@naavets.org.