I recall, several years ago, reading a post from biblical counsellor David Powlison (one of my favourite authors) in which he shared having just received the bad news that he was dying of cancer. Though the doctors had given him some hope, it was very slight due to both the type and the advancement of the cancer. He was aware that he probably would die of the disease. But he shared that he was taking comfort in the truth of Psalm 112:7: “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.” I was struck by this and, often since, have found this verse to be a haven of rest when bearers of bad news come my way.
The context of this confident assertion is found at the beginning of the psalm in which the anonymous author pens, “Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!” (v. 1). The author then recounts several ways in which the God-fearer is blessed. As the psalm progresses, it becomes clear that the fear of the Lord in no way guarantees freedom from foes nor freedom from the temptation to fear. However, the one with a biblically healthy fear of the Lord is able to overcome these fears as his or her heart firmly trusts and rests in the one true God. In other words, bad news-bearers don’t upset the mental, emotional, or spiritual equilibrium of God-fearers, those who, because of the good news of the gospel, love and live for the Lord.
Growing up, I often heard my pastor say, “The Christians’ assignment is to reduce his fear objects to just one: our God.” I think this was informed by what Jesus said: “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Those who have believed, and thus who continue to believe the good news that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection delivers us from eternal condemnation and hell, are equipped with firm hearts that remain steady amid bad news bearers. In other words, a “firm heart” is built by continual exposure to good news-hearing.
This week, I, along with forty other pastors, studied the book of Romans to make progress towards being faithful and fruitful proclaimers of God’s word; to become better good news-bearers. We sharpened our skills by interpreting various portions of this book, whose gospel theme looms large. For four days, I was reminded of the glorious good news that, since God did not spare his own Son in order to save me, I have good reason for my heart to remain firm amid bad news. Having been saturated with hearing God’s good news, I know that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). I therefore have no need to fear when bad news-bearers come my way. Fellow Christian, neither do you.
Perhaps today you will encounter a bad news-bearer reporting high crime, economic woes, even job retrenchment. Perhaps your bad news-bearer will be a doctor with a tragic diagnosis. Or perhaps your bad news-bearer will sound the death knell on a cherished relationship. Whatever the heartbreaking report, the Christian need not be afraid. As long, that is, that we are fulfilling the condition of fearing the Lord, cherishing him above all. The psalmist is not saying that we earn favour with God; rather, he is saying that those graciously favoured by God will fear and delight in obeying him. Christians are such people. Such gospel-driven devotion to the Lord strengthens our hearts so that, even if all around us is seemingly being shattered, yet our hearts remain firm, settled, peacefully confident. Christians realise that the bad news, in fact, may even get worse, but if our devotion is growing then so will our ability to stand firm in faith in our triune God. Like David Powlison.
The news for Powlison went from bad to worse and, on 7 June 2019, he died, his “body of death” (Romans 7:24) “defeated” by the cancer. And yet he died without fear knowing that “neither death nor life nor [anything] could or would separate him from the love of God in his Saviour, Christ Jesus.” Because Jesus died for Powlison’s sins, since Jesus rose for Powlison’s justification, and since Jesus ascended to intercede for Powlison’s full and final salvation, he had nothing at all to fear. I hope this is true of you as well.
Christian friend, engaging a world of bad news-bearers is a fact of life. Therefore, be sure to spend time tuning your ears to the gospel. Become a good news-hearer and you will have no reason to be afraid. I want to help you in this and therefore I am committed to being both a better good news-hearer and a more skilled good news-bearer.
Pray for me; I am praying for you,
Doug