“As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” - Proverbs 25:25
News headlines can easily bring fear. Every day events can get us down and discouraged. Health problems can drain us emotionally, as well as physically. Life is not easy and is often unfair.
In spite of all the negativity that we face, it is refreshing to remember that there is good news for mankind. More to the point, this good extends to you and me. It isn't a fairy tale or myth. It is very real and relevant. In fact, this good news trumps all of the bad news that tends to weigh us down. Fact checkers cannot disprove this good news. Although many of them refuse to believe, they cannot bring any facts to support their unbelief.
Proverbs 25:25 says, “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” If you have ever been thirsty, you can identify with this proverb. When your mouth is parched and your throat is dry, your body thirsts for soothing water. Cold water quenches a mighty thirst. In a similar manner, good news from a far country refreshes the spirit. Good news tends to awaken our spirit and cause us to rejoice. Good news is like the bright sun that breaks through a cloudy, gloomy sky. Good news is like hearing birds chirping after a storm leaves the area.
The New Testament gives us the ultimate good news. God came to earth, dwelt among men and ultimately died so that men may receive eternal life. The Old Testament predicted this news, but the New Testament reveals how it unfolded. The Old Testament showed us our dire need, but the New Testament provided us the solution to the need.
The New Testament uses the word, “Gospel,” over and over again. The word, “Gospel,” means good news. As followers of Jesus, we are not waiting for good news to come. Good news has already come. Good news has been provided to mankind through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
There's no better way to start a new year than to begin with good news. We don't know what lies ahead this year, but we know that the good news is relevant every year, regardless of the events that will unfold. This good news is the greatest news that we will ever comprehend. Jesus Christ has come. He has died for our sins. He has risen from the dead. Through Him, we have eternal life. That, my friend, is good news. It is great news.
Because of Jesus, death has turned to life. Darkness has given way to light. Hopelessness has passed and hope has arrived. Depression and despair have been replaced with inexpressible joy. That is good news.
Jesus spoke of us in John 10:10, when He said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Life has been given to us. Not just life, but abundant life. That is good news!
Here are few things we should consider about the good news. First of all, the good news needs to be experienced personally. I enjoy to hear how someone else has found good fortune, but it is so much better when I am the one who experiences something good. The good news of Jesus Christ needs to be experienced personally. Second-hand religion does not satisfy. Each of us must have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. The good news become real and exciting when we experience it personally through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When a person is saved, it is an experience unlike any other. There is rejoicing among the angels when a person repents. Like cool water to a thirsty soul, the good news of Jesus sets a captive free. The Gospel transforms. It is truly good news.
Secondly, the good news needs to be enjoyed continually. We should not allow sin, time, or the mundane rituals of life to drain the joy from our hearts. Joy is listed among the fruit of the Spirit. The good news is just as good now as it was when we first believed. We are just as saved now as the moment when we trusted Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus is just as sweet and wonderful as He has ever been. Don't let the bad news of the world rob you of the joy of knowing the good news of Jesus. All the promises of Scripture are still valid right now. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is still going on. The reality of heaven is just as real and glorious as ever before. The fact that Jesus is returning is still an event we should be looking forward to.
Finally, the good news needs to be expressed verbally. We need to share this good news with others along the way. There are many who are still in the prison of sin, held in chains, awaiting execution for their crimes. We can tell them how the King pardons those who repent & believe. His pardon is free and available right now. The future does not have to remain bleak. Eternity does not have to be dark, lonesome and dreadful. Jesus Christ has come to save sinners. He offers eternal life to those who will believe. As recipients of His grace, we are now commissioned to go and share this good news with those who need it most.
Thank God for this good news!!
