How to handle bad news
When one starts reading Psalm 112, it feels a bit like something the prosperity preachers would say:That if we fear the Lord and delight in His commands, then
Our children would be mighty and blessed (v.2)
Wealth and righteousness will endure (v.3)
But there is a deeper balance than simply promising prosperity.
It also talks about how we should be generous and conduct ourselves justly. (v5)
It also talks about how we should be generous and conduct ourselves justly. (v5)
But what strikes me is the promise of assistance in trouble.
It doesn't promise a trouble free life.
Even those who fear God and delight in His commands experience trouble.
Even those who fear God and delight in His commands experience trouble.
There's a clear implication that there are times of darkness.
And there are times that bad news comes around. (Another version translates: "evil tidings")
All of us can remember a moment we received bad news.
- A phone call out of the blue about a loved one's stroke, accident or heart-attack
- A phone call out of the blue about a loved one's stroke, accident or heart-attack
- A doctor's serious demeanour and measured words.
- The teacher calling a meeting about your child.
- The slip from the ATM saying "Account Overdrawn."
- An announcement about retrenchments.
- The President calling a family meeting.
- The sms with test results.
I see people fall apart at bad news and I see people dig deep and find faith.
We are not promised a trouble-free life.
We are promised a relationship.
A God in Whom we can trust.
We are promised a relationship.
A God in Whom we can trust.
He is both Shepherd and Guide
He walks with us in Death Valley.
He serves food on Enmity Plain.
He secures our souls at Eternity's Bridge.
He walks with us in Death Valley.
He serves food on Enmity Plain.
He secures our souls at Eternity's Bridge.
| Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. 5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. 6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. 7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalms112:1-8) |
