Bad News or Good News?

“And someone came and told them, ‘Look!  The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.’”  Acts 5:25

We all learn sooner or later that things are not always what they seem.  At times, what we may view as bad news can turn out to really be good news.  As I read the story of the early Church in the Book of Acts, I often wonder if I am reading good news or bad news.

Acts gives us a picture of the way the Body of Christ (Church) ought to be.  The power of the Holy Spirit lit a raging fire in this group of believers.  Miracles, signs, and wonders were common occurrences.  The Lord was adding daily to His Body through their faithfulness to His mission.  People from all walks of life began to follow Jesus.

But amidst all of this miraculous growth, something awful happened…or at least it appeared to be awful – the apostles were arrested and imprisoned.  These same Jewish leaders had crucified Jesus just a few months earlier.  But what they thought would put an end to His message only served to further it when Christ rose from the dead.  Now His followers had the power of the Holy Spirit, and there was no stopping the Gospel.  Just look at the Apostles’ answer when the High Priest ordered them to stop preaching to the people:

“We must obey God rather than men.  The God of our fathers raised Jesus, Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree.  God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.  And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those who obey Him.”  Acts 5:29-32

Once again, God turned bad news into an opportunity His disciples would not have otherwise had to share His message with the religious leaders.

We must learn to view our lives from an eternal perspective.  What may seem bad might really be a divine appointment…an opportunity to share Christ that we otherwise would not have.  As we trust Christ with our eternal destiny, let us also trust Him with our days.

Dear Father, please help me to trust You even when things seem bad.  Help me to make the most of every opportunity that You give me to glorify Your Name and lead others to faith in Your Son.  In Jesus’ name, amen.