We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. 2 Kings 7:9

As Christians, we so easily forget the greatness of the good news we have, and neglect to tell others. Much like the lepers who discovered the Arameans had fled their siege of Samaria, and could tell the city they were now safe, we have discovered the salvation from sin, its power and consequences. The siege of Samaria had caused great suffering to its people, even leading some to cannibalism. Sin causes great misery and suffering to men and women throughout time.

If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, we would not be doing right if we kept this news to ourselves. For we are merely like beggars who have found bread, telling other beggars where we have found that bread. Would be rather eat bread and tell no one else where to obtain it?

Or course, there’s no point in telling others the good news, if we haven’t believed it ourselves. That’s almost as silly as taking bread, telling others about it, but never eating it ourselves! The sacrifice of God for man, so that man might live is such an amazing demonstration of God’s love and grace. Any effort of our own cannot achieve the forgiveness of sin, for it took that amazing sacrifice to achieve forgiveness!

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:2

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Rom 8:28

Sometimes it’s hard to see how hardships in our lives fit in with God’s design. We forget how intimately God works within his creation. He’s not like a watchmaker who designs the watch, winds it up and sets it going, observing from afar and never interfering. On the contrary, he is involved in the sustaining and continuance of creation, commanding every atom, every motion, in accordance with his will. As such, he knows exactly what is happening to us, for he is in control of it. He can even use our sinful actions to achieve his will.

For it was throught the actions of evil men that his plan of salvation was carried out. Judas delivered the Son of God to the authorities, Pilate condemned the Son of God to crucifixion through his cowardice before the crowd of unbelievers.

Let us take comfort and be encouraged that every thing we go through, both pleasant and unpleasant, is ultimately working for our good if our love is for God.