Sometimes, it is hard to find good news.
When writing for this blog, I like to sometimes look through news articles sent to my email by Google, trying to find titles and major headlines to report as the Spirit leads me.
I felt led to look for good news. But honestly, as I looked through headlines, it was hard to find any good news at all: Among many other headlines, two big headlines were that there was a private burial for 100 Nigerian soldiers, and that the UK has pledged support for Nigeria in the battle against Boko Haram.
The news is fraught with fear, war, and chaos everywhere. Where am I to look for good news in this world?!
And that’s when the Spirit showed me something that could sound absurd: 1) Sometimes there is seemingly no good news in our circumstances, and yet, 2) there is ultimately good news despite every headline and every circumstance.
I am not trying to make this a cliché message about Jesus’ birth, relevant as it is. But I want to be real. Lately, my heart has been weary, tired, and scared, and my stomach as churned as I think about my future. Where is the good news? What am I to do when there is no joy to be found in life’s headlines, be it mine or public headlines?
As King David says, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?”
(Psalm 121:1)
As a person feeling overwhelmed, there are a million ways to turn: most of them unhealthy. But David answers his own desperate question with a sure confidence:
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip– he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
(Psalm 121: 2-8, NIV)
This passage of scripture is amazing. David is incredibly real about his troubles and need for help in many psalms next to this one; He is honest in that there seems to be no good news in his circumstances. Yet, he also remembers the solution to his every problem, the Help he has been looking for. He goes from fear to faith, from crisis to confidence in Christ, knowing that He is completely safe in God’s Hands.
No matter the tragedy, crisis or circumstance, we have a God who is FOR us, and wants us to come to Him. From those suffering at the hands of Boko Haram, to those stranded in internally displaced people camps, God is working—ready and willing to help us in our biggest times of need (Psalm 46:1-3).
God is working. And that, in every bit of pain, is reason for hope– and good news. ❤
Do you know Jesus?
The reality is—whether one agrees or not—Jesus is mankind’s only Hope. Learn more about Jesus and what He has done, here.
Please pray for…
- Those who are hurting, especially in Nigeria. That Jesus would show them His Presence, Strength, and Might.
- The local and global Church, that they would offer comfort, support, and love to those in crisis, both in Nigeria and beyond.
- That the UK’s international pledge to Nigeria would come about and help those fighting against Boko Haram, as well as those suffering from lack of basic necessities.
Thank you for your prayers.
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 