Good News, Bad News

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NIV

A staple of humor is the good news, bad news joke. For example, here is one for pastors:

Good News: Church attendance rose dramatically in the last three weeks.

Bad News: You were on vacation.

While we would never really deliver alarming news this way, we all look for ways to turn the negative into a positive.

In Isaiah 55, God is speaking to Israel, and what he has to say holds both warning and promise. They can either listen and obey God's law, in which they will flourish, or they can ignore and continue to suffer the consequences. Either way, God's desire and purpose will be achieved, whether they're on board or not.

Jesus Christ is that word to us today. He offers salvation to all and wishes that all will accept. But how we respond is up to us, as it has been since the beginning. We are not forced to obey but have the free will to choose.

Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, thank you for your word. Not wanting us to perish, you offer us redemption through Jesus. Help us today as we share this good news with others. Give us the words so they may hear the warning and freely accept your promise. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Blessings,

Pastor Tim