11-16-2015

Good Morning All!!     

          Job 11:18; “And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.”

    So as I watched the news this past week, I was hearing Anne Murray in my head.  She had a song first released in 1983 called “Little Good News.”     

Nobody was assassinated in the whole Third World today
And in the streets of Ireland, all the children had to do was play
And everybody loves everybody in the good old USA
We sure could use a little good news today

If you have never heard that song, I would encourage you to give it a listen.  It speaks volumes to our world.  Every time the news comes on it seems more depressing.  I don’t know if each news program is having a competition to see which one can be the most depressing but they are all winning in that department.  First it was the hoopla at Mizzou but that was only the warmup to the terrorists in Paris.  As the dust isn’t even settled, the French president says their response will be “merciless;” I sure could use a little good news today.

    It is tough to watch as they pull broken bodies from soccer fields and night clubs but it is also hard to watch as they pull broken bodies from bombed out cities in Syria and Iraq.  Yes, the coalition “targets” terrorists but the “collateral damage” is the innocents who are simply at the wrong place at the wrong time.  So as we make a big deal about praying for France don’t forget to pray for Syria, Iraq and the other areas; they could use a little good news today, too.

    We see here just another example of what Jesus told his disciples.  This world will know nothing but trouble.  This world is still broken and corrupted by sin.  Those who do not know Jesus are still controlled by the devil and still live under his cruel rule.  These people know no peace and they have no hope.  These people have the restless nights of fear and anxiety wondering how this whole event will eventually play out.  They have no security, no hope and no rest.  They never have a little good news.

    But we have a lot of good news.  We have Jesus and because of his sacrifice; we are secure.  Because of Jesus our hope is assured.  We know that no matter what bad news plays on the news or we experience firsthand; we are secure in our Savior’s loving arms.  We can have the sacred rest that only God’s children, who trust in his promise, can experience.  Despite the world, we have good news; we have security and peace in God’s love.

Father of all mercy, we cry when we see all the pain in this world.  Yet we give you thanks that we have peace and rest in You.  Use us Father, to bring about peace and healing.  Lead us by Your Spirit to seek out peace.  Guide us to those broken hearts and wounded souls that will listen to your Words of healing.  Guide us to share your grace with all those around in need.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret