Todays readings.. Leviticus 11, Psalms 110-112, 2 Corinthians 2&3

“NOT AFRAID OF BAD NEWS” 

The Psalms abound with challenging and positive thoughts in them.   But our lives are often invaded by situations that provoke negative thoughts.  We need the positive inspired words of the Psalms, Israel’s Hymn Book that David began to compile more than 3,000 years ago.  They are a great stimulus to positive thinking. 

“The righteous will not be moved,” [112 v.6].   That is, he or she will not collapse, wrote David, especially in times when they “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” [23 v.4],.  “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm trusting in the LORD” [112 v.7] “The fear (awe) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding” [111 v.10]. 

The foundation of a life worth living before God is to be in awe of what God must be and to realize that he seeks to have a relationship with us.  The realisation of this was the springboard to David’s life so that he could begin the Psalm with the words, “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart” [v.1]. 

This spirit became the springboard of Paul’s life.  Also that of James, who had spurned belief in his half-brother Jesus ( John 7 v.5), but, he like Paul, came to realize that what they saw as bad news then, turned out to be the best possible life-changing good news for a fully meaningful life and an even greater life that is to come.

James writes about those who doubt, “the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways”.[1 v.6-8]   Such a person’s heart is not firm, he or she will be afraid of bad news. 

James continues, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he (or she) has stood the test he will receive a crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” [v.12]