There is always hope with Jesus

The jailer called for a light, rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas. Then he led them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They answered, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your family.’ Then they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. (verses 29-32)

Read Acts 16:25-40

A jailer sees himself as a failure. He is doomed because of how others will judge him. He has failed in his duty, and his shame and guilt are more than he can bear. So he decides to end it all. No hope. No future. Nothing left to live for.

Many people have travelled down that road and ended up like this jailer, wanting to finish it off. They are afraid of what lies ahead, and there seems to be no way out.

But you know that there is a God who cares for you, who has the answers to all your needs. Often it’s through a Paul or Silas that he rescues. To the question ‘What must I do to be saved?’ there is only one sure answer: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved’.

That’s how a jailer and his family found peace. And that’s how you will find peace and hope, no matter how hopeless the future may at times appear. With Jesus in your life you will have a glorious future. That’s his promise. You can trust him, because he is your Saviour.

Heavenly Father, you have taken care of all my needs in Jesus. Help me to trust him so much that I will never despair but will rely on his saving work. Amen.

by Len Tscharke, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)

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