A Word of Encouragement

May 28, 2022

PA121 - Beside the Still Waters

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
	Mark 16:15

The gospel - the good news - that God wants to restore the relationship between Himself and humanity - the relationship humans abandoned by choosing Satan and hiding from God. (Genesis 3:8)

God rebuked Satan and said, “I will make enemies of you and the woman, and of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall crush your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Jesus is that Descendant.

Long before Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection, king David assigned Asaph and his family to give thanks to the Lord, when the ark was returned to Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 16) The psalm the they sang, begins;

Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make His deeds known among the peoples.
	1 Chronicles 16:8

And it encourages people to, “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.” (Vs. 11) and to, “Remember His wonderful deeds” (Vs. 12) Then after listing some of God's deeds on Israel's behalf, the psalm continues;

Sing to the Lord, all the earth; Proclaim good news of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
	1 Chronicles 16:23-24

“Proclaim good news of His salvation.”

Sadly, the Children of Israel chose a different direction. Instead of simply sharing “the good news of God's salvation,” they held themselves aloof - looking down on the rest of the world. Changing the ‘good news’ into, “We are saved, but you are doomed.”

Paul wrote, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And He asked, “How can they believe if they haven't heard? How can they hear if no one tells them? And how can someone tell them if they aren't sent?” (Romans 10:13-15)

“Preach the gospel to all creation.” We ARE sent. Do we share the good news? Or do we spend most of our time sharing a message similar to what the Israelites were sharing - “We are saved, but you are doomed.”

Jesus did not say, “Go into all the world and tell people they are doomed.” He didn't even tell us to tell people what they are doing wrong! No. His message was, “Whoever believes in Me will live forever, in a restored relationship with the Creator.”

Let's preach the good news.

Elohim Yisheinu - God of our salvation - Help me share Your message of salvation with others.

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
	Psalm 143:10

Share the good news,

-=john & nancy=-