It’s been said: “No one loves the messenger who brings bad news.” Be it an ancient seer or the local radio station, no voice proclaiming such news is welcomed.
I admit that for many years, rather decades, I was a newscast addict. I tuned in at every opportunity in order to keep up to date on what was happening locally, nationally and internationally. Not any more, though. Between the disturbing reports of wars, terrorism, economic collapses and now, the threat of an epidemic of proportions I couldn’t even imagine, I’ve lost my interest in these updates. Having said that, to hide one’s head and pretend that bad news doesn’t exist is a phony escape mechanism. Bad news is simply part of life.
As I mull over and do much praying each week regarding the topics of these articles, I actually was excited to remember that in spite of negative reports, God has given us wonderful news; such wonderful news, in fact, that we cannot even begin to comprehend it. Here’s how John Piper put it:
“The gospel is the good news that the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of the never-boring, ever-satisfying Christ is ours freely and eternally by faith in the sin-forgiving death and hope-giving resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Does this mean good people and/or believers in Christ never suffer bad things? No, we’re all targets for suffering, pain and trauma of all sorts. What it does mean is we have a Refuge and a promise that all things work together for good to those who love God. That’s what I call wonderful news!
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; in Him, I will trust.” Psalm 91:1,2
