What's Today's News?
I wake up these days in anticipation. Of what? Thanks for asking. It depends on the first news I soak in as I rise from my bed. I love to start my day knowing what happened while I was asleep. I like to think that an update would prepare me for whatever lies ahead.
“Alexa, what’s today's news?”
Don’t you just love these modern gadgets? Never mind it took Alexa more than six months to decode my accent, but I digress.
Smart lady, that Alexa. She tells me the United States now has over 1 million cases of Coronavirus infection. The tally now stands at over 50,000 deaths. I should have known the news will be bad. The news is always bad these days of COVID-19. Now, I anticipate a nervous and grouchy day. It does not help my family is all cooped-up in the house for a few more days. A necessary process, they say, to keep us from getting sick in this dreadful pandemic we have suddenly found ourselves.
Most days, I start off with something cheerful. I pick up my Bible and talk to God in prayer.
Most days, I start off with something cheerful. I pick up my Bible and talk to God in prayer.
“Heavenly Father, what’s today's news?”
“I knew you would ask,” God says, as he guides me to Psalm 46.
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
God’s news is always good. He shines his light into the darkness of our world. God's Word brings life and encouragement. Why should I be afraid when the Creator of heaven and earth is nearby?
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Some days I still wake up grouchy and nervous. Hangover from prior day's news. There is grace in the darkness around. I am always encouraged by the good news from God's Word. I know I will have a victorious day. After all, it is God’s world; he fills everywhere with his grace and might.
And now, may the God of peace fill your body and soul with his love. May God shield you from evil, both visible and invisible. May God keep plagues and illnesses away from your home. May he surround you with his presence now and forever more. Amen