Series: Blessed Be
Psalm 112:7 ESV
Psalm 112:7 NLT
Psalm 112:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
Romans 8:28 ESV
Luke 1:37 ESV
Romans 8:26-28 MSG
I have a bit of a confession to make.
When I read today’s scripture (which was planned several weeks ago) I ‘sighed’ because I am not a fan of what people refer to as bad news. It confuses me.
In Psalm 112:7 we are told, “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” ESV
The Psalm writer admitted bad news exists and yet says there is no fear in news that might appear as ‘bad’ when we trust God.
While I’m not exactly sure why there is confusion surrounding bad news, I do know that all of my personality tests show that I am the kind of person who always thinks my glass is half full.
That’s not a new thing with me. I’ve always been that way.
Even as a child when something happened that most people would have dreaded, I did not because I had been taught that news was news which might appear to be good or bad. I was constantly reminded that God is in charge…I am not.
For example, growing up in Kansas City during the 50’s and 60’s meant we made a lot of trips to the basement during tornado season.
When the tornado sirens went off everyone in my family had a job to do. We had a list of regular supplies that we would grab and take to the basement. That list included jugs of water, bread, bologna (or some kind of meat) for sandwiches, chips, cookies, and milk.
I also always grabbed my favorite blanket and my pillow (which I could throw over the railing to get it to the bottom level of the house quickly).
In the early days we also always took a radio. After my dad made the basement into a rec. room we had an old television down there that had rabbit ears. We also had an old couch and chair. Eventually my folks added a pool table and a ping pong table.
I think you’re probably getting the idea…Storm time became a party.
Therefore as the New Living Translation says in Psalm 112:7, “They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.”
Because storm time became a party I did not dread it.
As a matter of fact, I looked forward to it.
It became our “family time”. It became a blessing.
In the Amplified Bible Psalm 112:7 says, “He will not fear bad news; His heart is steadfast, trusting [confidently relying on and believing] in the LORD.”
In a very real way during that time period we did not view the tornado time as bad because my dad always had his eyes on the prize, and the prize was what Jesus “has” for us every day.
He taught me Paul’s words in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
That verse became my “go to” for 30 plus years of church ministry.
Every time there was a major problem (and there are always problems when people are involved) I remembered that I love God and turn to God. I knew I could rely on God.
Because of Romans 8:28 all things would work together for good even when that seemed like it was impossible because I knew I was called by God to serve.
I also knew God is God of the impossible. Mary was told all things are possible. In the Koine Greek the text is translated “For not will be impossible with God every thing.” The Greek word for ‘every’ is ‘pan’.
In English Luke 1:37 says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
In the Message Roman’s 8:26-28 says, “Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
I love it! I love it because it recognizes we are human. We do get tired of waiting but at the same time the Spirit always stands with us!
Even when we don’t know how to pray the Spirit looks deep in our heart and mind and translates our feelings into a prayer. The Spirit knows us…really knows us inside and out and tells God what we are going through.
Then, God (who IS the God of the possible) makes it so every detail of our lives miraculously turns into something miraculously good.
So, while bad news may refer to news you might hear that is troubling or disturbing, just remember…all things are possible with God!
Spiritual Practice: Give God
Turn to God and give God the impossible…and be thankful. Wait for the possible to appear.
In God, Deborah
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