As I listened to the news this morning I heard about the United States embassies in Libya and Egypt being attacked, and four people, including the American ambassador to Libya, dying. When the "Arab Spring" earlier this year produced new governments in these two troubled areas of the world many were hopeful of a more peaceful region being the result. Such does not appear to be the case. There are some obvious reasons for that and I won't get into those in this post. What I DO want to talk about is GOOD NEWS!
The events of any twenty-four hour period display for all to see the evil that lies within each of us. By nature we are bent towards evil. The human race is headed towards self-destruction. It is inevitable. You see it in our environment and you see it in human relationships, whether on a personal level or on a national level. But there IS good news. God says that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13). Saved from what? Saved from self, from sin, from God's wrath against sin and from eternal death. HOW??
Paul goes on in Romans 10:14-15 to say that people need to believe in Jesus Christ, but first they must be told. Someone must bring the good news to the world. He quotes Isaiah 52:7 and says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" In the days of Isaiah there were many battles being fought and in the midst of the battle it was often difficult to know who would win. Messengers were sent from the battle to the king or to those waiting to hear. They were swift runners who could carry the message quickly and deliver it accurately.
We need some swift runners today. We need some committed messengers who will deliver the good news to those who are waiting to hear. There are people who are fighting battles with their health, their finances, their families ... people with addictions and overwhelming struggles that have weighed them down to the point where they have given up on life. They have no hope. They are ready to throw in the towel. Maybe you have been there. Maybe you're there now. Maybe you know someone who is. There IS good news.
Going back to Isaiah 52:7, we read, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" "Zion" referred to Jerusalem, to God's chosen people, to the ones who had heard about Him and who had trusted in Him. Do you know this God? He has revealed Himself in His Word, from beginning to end. He is Almighty and just, but He is also compassionate and merciful, eager to forgive, abounding in love. He so loved the world that He gave His own Son - He GAVE His Son to pay your penalty for sin and mine. Oh, amazing grace!!!
THIS God reigns and is able to work all things together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). When I hear news like I did this morning, I inevitably turn to the God who has revealed Himself to me through His Word and Spirit. I know Him. I love Him. I know He can be trusted because I know He is reigning from His throne in heaven. Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, is ruling over all things at my Father's right hand. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to HIM!! I am safe in His arms, no matter what is happening in the world or what happens in my life.
This is good news and it can be yours today. If you know it, share it with others. We can't always explain why things happen the way they do or predict how certain things are going to work out. But this much we know: "Our God reigns!" If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, remind your brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing hard times: "Be strong! Your God reigns!!" And then be ready always to give an answer to those who ask you the reason for your hope (I Peter 3:15). Tell them, "MY God reigns ... and He can be YOUR God, too."
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news!!"
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