Bear It!

Do you know anyone who always seems eager to deliver bad news?  You think “surely not,” but it's like there's some joy in being the bad-news bearer.  Strange, isn't it!

 

The Prophet Joel writes vividly about God’s judgment of evil; it's really beyond imagination. His use of words like darkness, gloom, tremble, devours, burns and desolate assure [true Bible believers] wickedness has no bright future.  Oh, how quickly we [choose to] forget the pleasures of sin are for but a season (Hebrews 11:25). Joel then contrasts God's judgment with His abundant mercy: “’Yet even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to Me with all your heart’ … Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.” (V.12-13). It is particularly important we understand the just nature of God, but also that He is equally merciful to the repentant man.  Timothy Keller said, "Unless you point to the good news of God's grace, people will not be able to hear the bad news of God's judgment."  Christians, who have experienced God's mercy and redeeming grace, have much to tell!  What keeps you (and me) from eagerly – excitingly anxious – tells of how evil ends and goodness triumphs?  Let us be bearers of God’s Good News both in word & deed!  Bear it!