Good News! Bad News!
READ: Isaiah 43:1-7
“Well, I’ve got good news and bad news.” How often haven’t we all heard these words! We feel excited that something positive is on the way, but our nerves begin to twitch when we learn of the negative news to come. Then the bad news usually clouds the exciting news. If only the good could outweigh the bad!
The Lord has given us a message quite similar to the ones we often hear. The bad news is that we are sinful creatures that can never live up to God’s standards. But the good news is that although we are sinful, He looks beyond that because of Jesus death that lovingly redeems us. He makes the good outweigh the bad. He takes us, marked with sin and death, and changes us into saved people living to serve Him.
Even more so, God has not only saved us, but He also acts in our daily lives. He tells us that He will be there to share the good times as well as the bad. He’ll be there for us as He reminds us in Isaiah 43:5, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” He has taken us out of our sin, redeemed us through Jesus, and remains by our side throughout our lives.
What wonderful news for us! God has taken our despair and replaced it with the joy of salvation. Because of this, let us live a life of thanks, telling others about this incredible news!
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: How can we turn “bad news” situations into “good news?" How does God use other negatives for our good in life?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Thank God for overlooking your sin and redeeming you. Ask God to help you share God's love with others.