Bad news is all around us. Bad news littered the landscape of the past year. It certainly seems to get most of the headlines! But regardless of how much bad news there was, there was more good news than there was bad.
Do you find that hard to believe? I’ll go further: the same thing will be true of the year that lies ahead of us. A New Year of good news awaits us again this year.
As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)
There have been many, many beautiful feet which have brought the good news into a world full of bad news. And experience has taught me that the best way to stay focused on the good news that’s all around us—rather than the bad news clamoring for our attention—is to be one of those who brings good news into the world.
So . . . just how beautiful were your feet last year? Seems strange to think about feet as being “beautiful,” but the Bible says that those that bring good news really are!
The good news—and really I should write that Good News—tells us that the love of God in Christ sought us, caught us, and bought us. The Good News tells us we were once in darkness but now we are in His marvelous light. The Good News tells us we were once dead but now we are alive. The Good News tells us we have been liberated by God’s grace, lavished by God’s goodness, and locked permanently into God’s grip. The Good News tells us we have been forgiven and will never be forsaken. The Good News tells us we are completely loved by God because of the completed work of Jesus on our behalf.
There really is no end to the Good News . . . and that is always the best medicine for dealing with the bad news. The phrase “preach the Gospel to yourself daily” is a hugely important lesson to learn. Far too many Christians mistakenly believe the Gospel is meant only for those who don’t know Jesus. To be sure, the unbeliever needs the Gospel, but so does the believer; and the believer needs to hear it daily!
The Gospel not only saves, it also sanctifies. The truths of the Gospel govern our Christian lives. The truths of the Gospel grow us up into Christ. The truths of the Gospel lift us up above the lies of this world and propel us into the perfect plan God has for our lives.
Yes, I recognize that the world is full of bad news; that’s because the world is broken. But God has promised to make all things new.
This is the plan determined for the whole world;
this is the hand stretched out over all nations.
For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?
His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? (Isaiah 14:26-27)
One day there will be a new heaven and a new earth . . . and a new you! One day there will be no more tears or sorrow or pain or death. One day you will be with Jesus forever and ever in eternal bliss, and that is the Good News that overshadows every bit of bad news you will encounter this year!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 