by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: September 04, 2009   Last Updated: July 20, 2010

Christians we have it in writing. In 2Peter3:13 (NIV) we are told that we have been promised a new heaven and a new earth. This will be a place where righteousness will prevail. No longer will we have to suffer and to be ridiculed and falsely accused. Justice will prevail. This is comforting.

When armed with this hope of an eternal life where we will live with God forever, we can be about our daily life and can be strong knowing that we are not alone. He is with us always. Matthew 28:20 (KJV) tells us I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. This satisfies us but only briefly and then we wonder at the apparent contradictions. He promises us that he will be with us, even unto the ends of the world.

What world is He talking about? This one or the next one? Of course he is talking about our earthy world where we wait for His coming. For hope and help in this world we need only meditate on The Lord's prayer, the one the Lord recommended. (Matt. 6:9-13) In this prayer lay all our hopes and our dreams. It tells us we are being protected by our heavenly father who promises us a better place someday and hope and help for today.

The Lord's Prayer also tells us we are to submit our will to him. Your will Lord be done. If left to us we will get into all kinds of mischief. This helps in keeping us from doing what we know He wouldn't want us to do. The very best guideline in how to avoid temptation and to align our will with his is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Luke 6:31) This gives us hope.

Yet being human we often forget. We find old habits hard to break. Repeating the Lord's Prayer we find comfort. We once again are sorry for our wrong doing. We ask for a better day; his way. Give us this day, our daily bread. Feed and protect us Lord since without you we are lost and know not what to do. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. This is vital, if we are to expect Him to forgive us when we slander and vilify our neighbors and are selfish and unkind, shouldn't we forgive those that do that to us?

It certainly makes sense and gives us hope for a chance of a better life if after His forgiveness we promise him not to do the offense again. This time Lord, let's do it your way. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. When we finally get that straight we can expect to live more thoughtful lives. Whenever doubt creeps in we renew our commitment to live our life His way. What more hope of an eternal salvation will we then need? It's all spelled out for us in this simple little Lord's Prayer.

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