Good News

As cold water to a weary soul,So is good news from a far country.

Proverbs 25:25 (NKJV)

When you feel discouraged or lonely or helpless, oh, how good it would be to hear good news. We long to hear that help is on the way.

I heard the story of a young mom with three small children whose husband was out of town. The phone rang. What a relief to hear a cheerful voice asking how she was. “Well,” she said, “the baby is sick, the dishwasher just broke, laundry is a mile high, and there are Cheerios all over the floor.”

“Don’t you worry,” the caller said. “I am coming right over. I’ll clean the kitchen, do the laundry, and take the kids to the park while you take a nap. And how is Tom?”

“Tom?” the mother asked. “My husband’s name is Jack.”

Silence. Then the caller said, “Oh, I must have the wrong number.”

Silence again. Then with a small little voice the young mother asked, “But are you still coming?”

“Are you stilling coming?” That’s a good question. So many struggling people wonder, Is there any help on the horizon for me?

We all could use some good news from a far country. Jesus came all the way from heaven with a message of hope. In John 14:1-3 he said, “Let not your heart be troubled. . . . In My Father’s house are many mansions. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. . . . I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (NKJV). The good news is, yes, he is still coming!

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

What difference does it really make to know that this life is temporary, that this is not all there is? I believe that it can and should make a radical difference. Revelation 21:1, 3-4 says, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. . . . ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.’” Now that’s really good news.

One Year Bible Reading

Jeremiah 35:1–36:32; 1 Timothy 5:1-25; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 25:25-27