Bad News, Good News

Soaring gas prices, declining property values, and messages of fear and dread are filling the world. I must admit, I too have succumbed to the nagging thought that life as we know it may soon disappear. I don't like that feeling. And so I remember. I remember my God.

I remember that God is my Deliverer. He is the "ever present help in trouble" (Ps.46:1). I remember that His faithfulness assuages the hangover of alarm left by the nightly news. "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."(Ps.112: 7) I remember that when these disturbing feelings of anxiety envelope me that I have a Savior who calls me to Himself, calls me to bring my burdens to Him. Phil 4:6-7"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. "

Yes, even though American Airlines has announced they will begin charging for each piece of luggage you check, we have ONE that has promised to carry all our baggage. The price to us: FREE. So when the world seems to be falling apart, and worry seems to be your constant companion,stand on the ONE who is not falling apart. Stand on the truth of HIS Word. No matter how you feel.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

Praise HIM!

Cry Out

I know that some of you reading this are going through "stuff". I know that it isn't fun. It isn't nice. It isn't good. I have been thinking alot about you today. I have called out to HIM with you. For you.

It hardly seems right to tell HIM some of the "stuff" of our lives. Even though He knows it all already, it still tears at our core to hear ourselves utter the wrongs we have done. Utter the pain we are in. Utter the despair that we feel. Rebellious wrongs. Unimaginable pain. Abysmal despair. This perfect God surely doesn't want to hear it all....again. Does HE?

I don't pretend to understand it all. But I trust HIM. He says to call out. To cry out. Over and over throughout His word we see it. Those lost, wandering, rebellious, hurting, shoulda-learned-the-first-time people found themselves in messes. The Israelites, Samson, the Israelites, Jonah, the Israelites, David, well you get the picture, they cried out to God. And not just once. Many times. And guess what? He heard them. He rescued them. He had mercy on them. He had compassion on them.

I love the way the Message describes God. In Nehemiah 9:26-31 God, Our God, is described as the God of "bottomless compassion". So think this black hole of pain, suffering, or sin is your eternal abyss? Not with Christ. Because His mercy trumps our failings every time. His peace is the soothing balm for our pain. And His "bottomless compassion" goes deeper than any despair. Cry out to HIM. Maybe for the first time. Maybe for the millionth. He will hear you.

It is just who HE is. And He is who HE is no matter who we are. That is the simple truth of it all. No matter what dilemma we face. No matter what sin we have committed. No matter what unknown future awaits us. No matter what. HE IS. HE will always be. Rest on that friend.

Praise HIM!