Good News

I received an email last evening from a friend in Australia. 

I used to teach him both biology and chemistry, when I started teaching back in 1972. More significantly, he also started joining others in a little Bible study group.

He was reminding me of an event, 40 years ago, when God changed his life around. It turns out that August 3rd 2013 was the 40th anniversary of his conversion to Christ. From those small beginnings, he has gone on to serve Jesus, teach in churches around the world, and be a shining witness to the transforming power of God's love.

Locally, we have seen plenty of people with deep problems and broken lives finding their way to St. Andrew's Church. As Chris Harrison often prays, 'Thank you, Lord, for trusting us with these people!' But it is the power of God in us and through us that can bring hope and change. How can it happen that lives can be transformed?

There are great lessons to learn from seeing how others have discovered freedom and Good News. The ancient faithful Israelites knew their need of God's power and protection. 

What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us?

They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. 

The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. 

Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. 

Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart!

We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124.2-8)

All of us are in a difficult world, and many are like a bird, as the psalmist suggests, in the hunter's trap unable to break free. It doesn't matter whether the trap is an addiction to drink, drugs, the latest gadgets, shopping, our image or anything else. The enemy of our souls doesn't mind what useless idol gets us trapped. But it is only by God's power that the trap is broken, and we go free.

And in that freedom, there is no shame and no condemnation, because of what Jesus has done for us. And that God News is worth sharing.

Best wishes,

Richard