Hoping for Good News?

When was the last time you heard some good news? Right now, we are all waiting for the good news that there is a solution to the Covid-19 pandemic. We are waiting to hear that there is an effective vaccine, which will mean that lockdowns and tier systems are no longer neededWe are looking forward to the day when we can freely see our friends and families 

The book of Isaiah tells us of a time when God’s people were being held captive in Babylon. They had turned their backs on God. Here in Isaiah, we see the messenger returning with good news. News of peace and hope – God will save his people and return them to their own land!  

‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns! Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem’ Isaiah 52:7-9 

The watchmen were the ones guarding the city walls, usually watching out for enemies – they were the first to hear the good news. Verse 8 tells us they shout for joy! In verse 9, Isaiah calls on the people to sing songs of joy, for the Lord will free them from their captivity. 

Without God, we are held captive by sin – the wrong things we do, say and think. This separates us from God and the joy of knowing Him. But God gave us his only son, Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect and blameless life. Jesus died on the cross in our place, saving us from the punishment we deserve for our sins. For those who confess their sins and turn to God, there is hope! The Good News of salvation is for us today in 2020, as much as it was for the Israelites.  

This hope of salvation should guide us through difficult times, as we learn to put our trust into our loving, saviour Jesus. If we would be excited to share the good news of no more lockdowns, how much more should we be excited to share the Good News of our saviour Jesus Christ! 

Saviour God, we praise you for your plan throughout history to save your people. Help us to trust in the hope of your salvation and find peace as we reflect on your love for us. 

Written by Katrina. She is a member of Hope Church and is married to Alex, mother to their two-yearold son and eleven-monthold daughter.