Thought for the Month - December 2004

Good News from a Far Country - By Pastor Ian Wilson

(Release of Afghan Hostages)

No doubt we all were relieved to hear the news that Annetta Flanigan had been released. Annetta Flanigan from Richill along with Kosovan Shqipe Habibi and Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan were abducted at gunpoint from Kabul. They had been helping to conduct the recent presidential election.

The family of Ms Flanigan said they were "overjoyed" that she and her colleagues had been released. "After all the terrible anxiety of the last twenty seven days it is an incredible relief to know that Annetta is safe and well and now reunited with her husband, Jose.”

There is a verse of scripture that comes to mind when I think about the hostages who have been released.

Proverbs 25:25 "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country"

What relief cold water brings to a thirsty soul and what a relief it was for the Flanigan family to receive this good news about Annetta from a far country.

As I considered the subject of good news from a far country, I thought about Jacob. Jacob was having a terrible time concerning his sons. He thought Joseph was dead, Simeon was being held in Egypt and now he could lose Benjamin.

Genesis 42:36 "And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me"

However Jacob was going to receive good news from a far country. His sons’ returned from Egypt with news that he never expected.

Genesis 45:26 "And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not"

Do you realise that we all have received good news from a far country? Scripture confirms that we are all born sinners.

Romans 3:12 "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one"

Scripture teaches us that we are facing Gods judgment for our sin.

John 3:18 “He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God”

Let me remind you of some good news from a far country, which is very timely as we approach the Christmas season.

Luke 2:10-11 "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!