Good News!

The government is back up and running. Isn't that absolutely ridiculous? Not that our government is functioning as it should, but that it was shut down at all. And on that note, I would like to thank the United States Post Office for not letting us down. Of course, now, someone needs to rewrite their creed.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night

 stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds

 

Not even a government shut down!

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you dear postmen, postwomen, and postmasters.

 

But that isn't the good news I was thinking of. I was contemplating the good news that Jesus told his disciples to go and proclaim, "The kingdom of heaven is near." (Matt. 10:7)

 

Two questions come to mind about that message. 1. Do I believe it? 2. Do I believe it's good news?

 

I'll answer in reverse. Yes, to the second question. Yes, I believe it's good news. But about that first question, is the kingdom of heaven really near? Such a relative word, "near," considering Jesus spoke these words over 2,000 years ago. Still, I want to believe that His coming again is really and truly near. For me, and all of us who are in the second half of our first century, it is. It's relatively near, one way or another. Either He's a comin' or we're a goin'. Soon, relatively so, or very, very soon.

 

The state of our world and the abject poverty in third-world nations, our country's political infighting, religious infighting, the economy, ill treatment of people different from ourselves, the state of education, and high rates of unemployment are all so depressing. And what's to be done besides calling out to God?

 

From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint. (Ps. 61:2)

 

Ah, but when I call out, I find that is enough. God hears and answers with comfort and hope. Understanding? Not so much. But I have to be content, I am content, knowing His ways are higher than mine.

 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

 

And hey, I'm grateful for the good news that our government got their act together, which is no small miracle. Meanwhile, let's continue praying for the poor people who were left without money and means while leaders of differing political parties duked it out. It was no skin off their noses (those who held the government and poor people hostage), and though I don't want to ask this -- God have mercy on them. And while you're at it, God, have mercy on me, and all of us who see to our own needs and wants before the needs of others.

 

Therein lies the realio trulio good news: God is merciful. He shows us mercy, even though we don't deserve it. And so I'm moved to pray all the more for other miracles, more miracles, big ones, little ones, and everything in between. "God, please, in your mercy grant us your peace. In our heartache, our pain, our broken relationships, financial hardships, sick bodies, Lord in your mercy, grant us healing and peace."

 

You are my refuge and a strong unshakable tower against the foe. (Ps. 61:3