Welcome good news to be encouraged, and also be a sharer of good news to be an encourager. And when Sunday comes, don’t stay away from God’s people. Go to church on the Lord’s Day. Our hearts need joy and our bones need refreshed. There’s no greater good news than gospel news.

As Dane Ortlund once put it, people are not going around overencouraged. There are plenty of discouraging things happening in the world, and our hearts are affected by tragedy. Everyone we meet is carrying burdens, struggling with sins, dealing with disappointments.

From Solomon’s wise words we read, “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones” (Prov. 15:30).

This proverb is about the effect of good news. The “light of the eyes” probably refers to the demeanor of the speaker who is coming to tell someone something, and the effect on the listener is a joyous heart (“rejoices the heart”). Parallel to this is the second line: someone comes with good news, and the effect on the listener is refreshed bones.

Solomon mentions the “heart” and “bones” in order—with these parts—to represent the person. We know the toll that life in a fallen world can take. Our inner life needs strength, rejuvenation. And in the providence and kindness of God, the arrival of fresh strength and joy can come through news.

Imagine you’re sitting by yourself and feeling low when, suddenly, you get a call from a friend who wants to share news that they know you will want to hear.

Read More