“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

As World War II was drawing to a close, the Allied armies ended up gathering together a great many orphans.

These children had suffered privation, hunger, grief. Many of them had lost everything, including their hope for the future and any feeling or a belief they might have a secure and safe tomorrow. It was thought the children would respond very quickly to their new, safe surroundings. That was not the case.

For many of the children their new situation didn’t seem to make any difference. Now they were fed; now they were well clothed; now they had good doctors and medicine. They should have thought their worries were at an end.

But they didn’t.

Most of these children kept worrying about tomorrow and what the future held. They were listless. They slept poorly. Finally, a physician suggested a solution to change their perspective. Each child, when he went to bed, was given a piece of bread. They were instructed not to eat the bread; instead, just hold on to it.

Those pieces of bread produced wonderful results. The children went to bed knowing they were not going to starve. They knew their tomorrow was taken care of. They were secure. That knowledge, that guarantee, gave them a restful and contented sleep.

Today, many of us, like those children, are frightened and forsaken.

If that is the case, may I tell you the Lord is holding out eternal peace, eternal contentment, eternal forgiveness for you. This He does through His Son’s sacrifice. In the Person of the risen Redeemer, you have something ~ Somebody ~ who can change today, tonight and all your tomorrows.

There is no one else who can do what He can. There is no one else who has shown such love and such commitment to you, your present welfare, and your eternal destiny. All we encourage you to do is hold on to Him.

When you do, you will be amazed at the changes Jesus’ closeness can make.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, accept my thanks for the Savior. He entered this world filled with sin and sadness and offered Himself so my present and future might be changed. For His sacrifice and His success, which have given me forgiveness and eternal life, I am thankful. Grant that I may, in every situation, hold fast to Him. This I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.