Forgiveness, Life, and Resurrection.
Friday’s Verse:
From Psalm 112:7 ESV
“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart if firm, trusting in the Lord.”
Earlier this week, while visiting the cancer center, I encountered a gentleman who received distressing news. His cancer treatments were not yielding the expected results, and there was a possibility that his doctors might discontinue his chemotherapy regimen. My heart broke for him.
I couldn’t help but wonder: How would I feel if I received the same kind of prognosis? If I’m honest, I try not to let my mind go there. Dwelling on “what if” rarely does the soul any good. Yet the truth is, bad news leaves its mark on all of us — whether it’s a serious diagnosis, the loss of a job, a broken relationship, or something much larger.
The psalmist in Psalm 112 knew this reality well. Yet in the middle of life’s storms, he could say, “He is not afraid of bad news” (v. 7).
That verse doesn’t pretend bad things never happen. It doesn’t tell us to deny our fears or paste on a brave smile. Instead, it points to a deeper anchor: a heart that is steadfast because it trusts in the Lord.
In Lutheran teaching, this firmness doesn’t come from our own strength or optimism. It comes from an external source—Christ. Through faith, God provides us with a steadfast foundation, even when everything else feels uncertain.
This frees us. We don’t have to control every outcome. We don’t have to pretend we’re fine when we’re not. We can name our fears honestly — and still cling to the promise that our future is already secure in Jesus.
Bad news can still wound us and rattle us deeply. But it does not get the final word.
In Christ, the final word is always forgiveness, life, and resurrection.
So when bad news comes — and it will — we return again and again to what never changes: God’s Word, His sure promises, and His faithfulness. Over time, the Lord does exactly what this psalm describes: He steadies our hearts.
(PS: We’ll be praying for Russ this weekend in church.)
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Grant me, dear Father, the patience to deal with bad situations, knowing You have done good things needful for me. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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