I Praise You, LORD!

My first encounter with death was when I lived in California 18 years ago. There was a terrible accident in my neighborhood which involved three vehicles and a very tired nurse who had worked a double shift without any rest. I remember hearing the accident happen and running outside with my daughter who was still an infant. All three cars were totaled. One woman was able to walk herself to the ambulance and another woman was loaded into a helicopter where she died before the flight to the hospital could even begin. The nurse (the third woman) was trapped in her convertible Mustang and I watched in horror as the firemen tried to get her out.

I can remember crying like a baby on the side of the road, feeling helpless and sad for everyone involved, especially for the woman whose family would never see her alive again. At the time I was not a christian and I had no idea where people went when they died. I knew about Heaven and Hell, but I never knew how God orchestrated salvation in people’s lives. Where did that lady go when she died?

Death always makes us think. Some people believe that we simply fall asleep and never wake up. Some think that everyone goes to Heaven. Some don’t know and they don’t really give it a second thought. The truth can easily be found within the scriptures and throughout history among believers and unbelievers, and we have to believe everything God says about Heaven and Hell, otherwise, we’re just lost souls wandering through the desert without any water.

Salvation is dependent on God’s grace and whether or not we truly believe that Jesus Christ died for us to free us from the bondage of sin. Faith in God and repentance of sin is key to having a solid and lasting relationship with our Father. All we have to do is accept His free gift of salvation. “I love the LORD because He heard my voice and my supplications.” Have you prayed for salvation? I love how the psalmist praises the LORD for hearing his prayers and delivering him from the bondages of death. How blessed are we that the God of creation hears every single one of us when we call to Him for help?!

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” I can honestly tell you that life is better with Jesus in it. Ever since I gave my life to the LORD, I have found that even my trials are easier to get through and my life has vibrant color. Because I have seen this world in black and white, and felt a thick darkness here on earth, I too sing praises to my Father for rescuing me. I know that both Heaven and Hell exist because of what He has told me and because of what I’ve seen. My prayer is that everyone involved in that accident long ago knew the LORD before it happened. And my prayer is that you know Him too. Always praise God for the blessings He has bestowed on you and know in your heart that He died to know you! You are loved, friend. Be blessed today.