NO FEAR OF BAD NEWS
Aug 22, 2025
Photo by Ronan from Unsplash
NO FEAR OF BAD NEWS
Psalm 112.7
“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”
A CEO finally managed to make time to take his family on vacation. He left instructions not to be disturbed unless it was a matter of extreme importance and urgency. His phone rang, and he knew it was bad news. A mother left the hospital where her young son remained in a coma. As she got into her car, a beep on her cell-phone alerted her on a message from the doctor. She knew it was not good news.
Every day, we live with the prospect of bad news intruding into our lives. Those from the news media about wars and natural disasters in another part of the world, we can shrug off. But news that hit close to home or livelihood unsettles us. Some of us live in a state of perpetual tension and fear of bad news breaking in anytime. Psalm 112 offers godly counsel to help us.
The psalmist begins by describing the person who is not afraid of bad news. He fears the LORD and delights in his commands. Towards others, he is generous and fair (v.5). Towards God, his trust is absolute, his heart firmly established upon that trust (v.7). Towards his enemies, he rests secure, conscience clear and ultimate triumph sure (v.8).
For such a person, several convictions steady him (or her) against bad news. Firstly, nothing happens without God permitting it to happen. When bad news arrives, it has already been through God’s “security check” so God knows. Secondly, nothing happens without God intending good to come out of it. Our trust in God’s goodness and wisdom pre-empts unnecessary questions and doubts. Finally, we trust God to give us all that is needed to deal with the bad news.
Fears come at different levels. Fear at a higher level cancels fear at the lower level. When a higher court rules in my favour, I am no longer fearful of what the lower court says. So it is said that when a person fears the Lord, he fears nothing else. “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD…He is not afraid of bad news….” (vv.1,7)
Fear of God, no fear of bad news
