The Good News in a Bad-News World

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."
Proverbs 25:25 (NIV)

This morning, as I was preparing breakfast for my family, I heard this news from the radio that the minimum fare on a jeepney here in the Philippines is now Php8.50 from last year's Php7.50 (which is already a pain in our pockets). Previous news about high inflation rate of 11.4 percent for the past 14 years, which already resulted higher cost of living, food and basic necessities. Also, some news of earthquake felt all over the Asian Region and here in the Philippines. Not only that, countless news about government corruption and anomalies and news of some evil doings of people (like bank robberies and a fetus found inside a basket by the church altar) everywhere! I asked myself, "Where are we going to?". As I opened my daily devotional book, "Today Can Be The Best Day Of Your Life" by Harold Sala, it made clear to me that these things, good or bad, happen for a reason, and that's why the Bible is called "The Good News" for even we are bombarded by lots of "Bad News" around us we can still rely with the "The Word of God" to quench our weary souls. Now, is it just a coincidence that I have read this entry today? Well, there is no coincidence with God, it's all carefully planned out!

Here, I share what is written on my devotional book under the date July 9:

A "BAD-NEWS" WORLD

"Good news gives health to the bones," wrote a wise man long ago (Proverbs 15:30). Yet, have you noticed how little real "good news" there is anymore? First - you probably awaken to the nerve-jarring buzz of an alarm clock. Getting dressed, you turn on the radio and hear about everything bad that has happened in the night. Pick up the morning newspaper and you get the local crime report. Watch television at the end of the day and you see the most recent war zone. Is there no good news anymore? It was not without reason that the writers of Scripture began to refer to the Gospel as "The Good News!" in a bad-news world.

It is good news because it tells you that God is concerned with your life! What a contrast to the reality of life today, which leaves you with the impression that there are few who care about what happens to you.

It is also good news in a bad-news world because the Bible says there is an end to the problems confronting our world. Reading the Bible's last chapter reveals that eventually the Prince of Peace will return to rule and reign. In the meatime, the peace of God can rule in my heart, no matter how much bad news confronts me every day.

The Bible is also good news in a bad-news world because it tells you that your life can be different. That is the best news of all. With God, there is forgiveness and help. You need not be a victim of failure and sin, or live in bondage to the hostilities that imprison. You can be a new person with a hope and a future.

Finally, it is very good news because the Bible says that God is in control. It says there is alimit to how far God will allow humanity to go and will eventually step in and say, "Gentlemen, That's enough." Try the Bible. It's the best news you will ever get.


Source: Today Can Be The Best Day Of Your Life (365 Guidelines for Daily Living) by Harold Sala