Proverbs 25:25

Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.

This wonderful proverb doesn’t make much sense in our modern world where communications across the globe are instant. However, I remember the days before such impressively instant communications. When I lived in India, we had to communicate by post, and it could take a couple of weeks for letters to arrive from the UK. The highlight of my day was when the postman cycled onto our compound proudly ringing his bell. When I discovered that he had letters for me, it was just like being given a glass of cold water on a hot day. When the writer of Proverbs was putting together his wise words, it was incredibly difficult and dangerous to send news over a big distance. To receive any news was amazing, and to receive good news from a distant place was absolutely wonderful.

The Bible is full of good news. It tells us that we are made in the image of God, and that we are loved by the creator of the world. At times we might feel unimportant and unloved, but God has a completely different view of us, and he showed us his love supremely when he sent Jesus into the world. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we are offered forgiveness and eternal life. This is surely the best news the world has ever heard!

I’m so glad to share these reflections with you. It’s a privilege to bring you a verse or two each day, but I warmly encourage you to sit down with the Bible and read longer chunks of it. I particularly commend Immerse, the Bible Reading Experience. It has no chapter and verse divisions which you find in most Bibles, so you read it like any other book, and there are many groups who meet around the country to read Immerse together. Good news needs to be shared.

Question

In what way has the Bible brought good news into your life?

Prayer

Loving God, we thank you that you understand us so completely that you are able to meet our deepest needs. Amen