Yom Shi-shi, 2 Adar 11, 6001 – March 10, 2017
The Good News
Reflecting on life this morning, I cannot help but think about how very blessed we believers are and that we have such good news to wake up to everyday. What is that good news? Actually, in human terms, it is a long list. God is good. God is on our side. God never leaves us or forsakes us. His mercy endures forever. God is our defender. God is our provider. He never slumbers or sleeps. He never tires of caring for us. He has an army far beyond our ability to imagine. His army protects us every day. He has assigned angels to watch over us. And that is just a partial list.
As a child, I was taught that the Good News, the Gospel, was only that God sent His Son Jesus (Yeshuah) to die for our sins, and He rose from the dead. And if we confessed our sins to Him, asked for forgiveness, and asked Him to be Lord of our life, we would have eternal life. This is truly good news, and if you are reading this and have not done that, I very much encourage you to do so. However, that is only a part of the good news. Looking at the previous list, we can see that what we were taught as children does in fact fit into the list. For some reason there can be this tendency for believers to sometimes focus on one particular part of scripture, and leave out other parts. Our Father is not limited, and He is on our side; or perhaps better said, He wants us and allows us to be on His side.
Psalms 118:1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
4 Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
5 I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
The Psalms are truly beautiful songs about the Good News that God is always there for His people. Those that attack a believer are deterred. Not because the believers are so righteous – only God is righteous. It is because our Father is merciful, and for His mercies He will rise and defend. Our Father loves us. He really does!
Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will shine in this earth, Father, and give men hope. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us our transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have transgressed against us. Heal the hearts and minds of Your people, Father. Deliver us from the evil around us that pulls and tears at us to destroy us and Your work. Restore unto Your people all that has been taken or held back in any way. Rise up, O King! The enemy is at the gates and stirs up strife. Destroy this work, grind it to powder, confuse, confound, and utterly eliminate these efforts, there substance and impact. Deliver Your people that all men might know that You alone have done this thing, and that Your people may rejoice over You with singing! Where there be sickness, bring healing; where there be strife, bring unity; where there be sorrow, bring joy; where there be a breaking apart, knit together again. You alone are God, Father, You alone are God. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.