"Evil Tidings"
Daniel Valles

READ Psalm 112:5-8

"A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion...  He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.  His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon enemies."  I'm sure it comes as no surprise to you that informedchristians.com covers what some may call 'evil tidings.'  However, that is the undesirable aspect of a prudent watchman's duty.  As Christians, though, our reaction to 'evil tidings' should be markedly different from that of the world.  There are far more websites and geopolitical information clearinghouses than Christian ones.  Many times we both cover the same events, news items, and similar predicted scenarios. 

So, why have a Christian news outlet?  As Christians, we have a different perspective in watching world events.  Not only in light of prophecy, but also in the realm of reactions.  We need to be constantly reminded that the events that we see or foresee are not to shake our faith, but make it stronger.  Many unsaved patriots look at the direction that our country and world is heading, and can only be filled with fear, trembling, and uncertainty.  That should not be the case for the Christian.  Certainly, the events that are coming upon our nation and world before Christ returns will be harrowing; but our steadfastness, determination, and hope in this life lies not in our ability to handle or surmount circumstances, to hold onto Christ!  It is interesting that the verse describes the individual as one who "guides his affairs with discretion." 

Every Christian should be described by that!  Unfortunately, many American Christians have a happy-go-lucky attitude, not concerned about prophecy or what they perceive as 'evil tidings.'  Prudent Christians, when they hear or experience trying times or events in their life, will be shaken terribly if their faith and trust is not solely in God!  Notice that the verses state that his heart is fixed on God *before* the event happens.  Do not wait until regional or national catastrophes occur to get close to God.  Do not wait until some loved one is thrust into the hospital, and your world turned upside-down, before you grab a hold of God!  Sure, you may be a Christian, but how close are you to God?  Is He just a Bible that sits in your vehicle to be used for Sunday church?  Is He just someone who you give rote prayers to every day at meal times?  How big is your God?

The good and righteous man was not shaken when he heard evil tidings.  Yes, he knew things might be rough, but that did not shake his faith or trust in God!  If your faith is not one-hundred percent settled in the omniscient and omnipotent power of God, then your faith will be shaken during evil times!  Chances are, unless your anchor lines are drawn fast and taunt, your vessel will be loosened from its moorings during a tempest!  James 4:8-9 implores us, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness."  The fun and games are over, Christian!!  It is time to get serious with Almighty God!  It is high time that we with zeal search our lives and conversation and cleanse them from sin!  We cannot walk the line between half-heartedly serving God and delving into the world's appetites!  Draw your lines closer to God, remove the stumbling blocks, make fast your moorings.  Storms are coming.

In Psalm 46:1-3, the Psalmist puts forth a hypothetical situation to illustrate the extent of his trust in Jehovah.  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah."  It reminded me of earthquakes and tsunamis.  He, however, describes what can only be described as events of 'biblical proportions.'  Yet, he states that his faith and trust in God is so steadfast that those events would not weaken his faith.

In the story of Job, we find a man who was given more evil tidings than one thinks bearable.  He lost everything he owned.  He lost all of his children.  Yet, his faith and trust in God was so great that his proper response was: "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." 

If you have not drawn nigh to God, you will sin and charge God foolishly when the evil tidings come.