Read the News Through the Eyes of Christ
When you read the newspaper, the headlines can be scary. But, reading or watching the news is also a chance for us to put our knowledge of the Bible and our faith into action.
Let me give you two examples:
Childbirth deaths on the rise
Dallas Morning News - May 8, 2019
"An American mom today is 50% more likely to die in childbirth than her own mother was," says Dr. Neel Shah, a Harvard Medical School obstetrician.
We have a lot of new babies at Atonement and a lot of young mothers. Even if you're not a mother, this is striking and tragic news. We live in one of the most developed countries in the world, and yet, more and more mothers are dying in childbirth.
What can we as Christians say about this?
To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. (Genesis 3:16)
This is a reminder to us that we are living in a world still affected by sin. Everywhere we live, everything we do, everything that happens to us is tainted by sin. Though these women aren't necessarily dying as a direct consequence of a sin they committed, they too live in this sinful world. All the more reason we need the comfort of knowing Jesus is our Savior. Even when our sinful world doesn't make sense, he is still our loving Savior who will rescue us and bring us safely to his heavenly kingdom.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (Psalm 68:5)
In some cases, the child may not die along with its mother. How can a child live without its mother? We can't discount the difficulties the child will face, but we also know God is still God, a father to the fatherless.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
In fact, our Father uses us to care for those who are suffering. Since he has made us his children through faith in Jesus, we can show his love to those children without an earthly mother or father.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
At Jesus' time, children did not have the same status they do today. Children were expected to stay out of the way until they became fully responsible adults. The disciples did not want the children to bother Jesus. But, what love Jesus shows to these children! He invites them to come to him, and he blesses them.
Even if these children die with their mothers, we know that Jesus loves them. We do not understand much about our God, but we do know that he loves us. And so, we commend these children to God's mercy and love, understanding that all he does is done as a loving Father. This is not easy to understand or accept with our eyes. Rather, we trust in him by faith.
Reason for Breakdown in Dispute
Dallas Morning News - March 1, 2019
HANOI, Vietnam — The collapse of President Donald Trump's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un left confusion in its wake Thursday, with each side blaming the other and no clear path forward in the nuclear standoff.
It does not matter which side you're on if the world is in chaos. President Trump is not the first president to try to negotiate with North Korea, and he may not be the last. With each report on a possible nuclear war, our hearts shake, our souls ache for relief.
What can we say as Christians?
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. (Psalm 146:3)
Whether a man or woman is able to govern their nation well or not, they, too, are human. The next verse says, "When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing." Though they accomplish much or little in life, all their accomplishments turn to dust with them. They are not our Savior, either in this life or the next.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Instead, we trust in our one and only Savior Jesus Christ. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to him. Yes, he does give his representatives in government a measure of authority, but ultimately, he is the one in control of all things. We know this by his powerful resurrection, by his ascension, by his sitting down at the right hand of God the Father.
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
That is why as Christians we bring our prayers before God. We pray for those he has placed in authority over us, trusting that he is the one who gives them the authority and wisdom to govern. And God's goal is this: that we have peaceful and quiet lives in order that we may continue to share his good news of salvation in Jesus with others in peace.
Maybe you've given up on reading the news. It's too terrible. It's too depressing. But, when you do read or listen to the news, remember the good news that surpasses all the bad news: Jesus has come to save us from this sinful, chaotic, evil world to bring us safely to live with him forever in heaven.