Title

The Good News of Righteousness

Scripture
I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know.
(Psalm 40:9)
Devotional
Take note of the phrase, "The good news of righteousness." Righteousness to some is a burden; it is antagonistic to their desires and way of life, but to those who have tasted of its fruit, it is very good.
The preaching and proclaiming of the Word of God is to be done in this manner. It is to be spoken of as "good news." As the angel said at the birth of Christ to the shepherds, "I bring you good news of great joy,"(1) we are to proclaim the same. We have the good news of the gospel. We have the only hope for mankind. Let us not present it in a manner of gloom, doom and despair, but with joy, enthusiasm and hope. It is not, "turn or burn," but "turn and learn." Learn "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"(2) Let us not keep silent. Let our churches be filled with this proclamation of "the good news of righteousness."

(1) Luke 2:10 NIV, (2) Psalm 133:1
Thought For The Night
“The old original wounds must first be probed in their depth before there can be healing. The Scripture compares sin with the wound of the soul, and says that an attempt to heal this wound without examining it first is vain and deceitful. It is God’s message to show men how awful their state is before he brings the comfort of deliverance and healing. The gospel must be revealed as bad news before it can be good news.”  Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections
Evening Text
Psalm 40:9: I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know.
 
Looking for Answers
 
Evening Study Guide
Defining:  “Gospel” a word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning “God’s spell”, i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, “good spell”, i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., “good message.” Easton’s Bible Dictionary
 
Referencing: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Isaiah 52:6-8

Applying: Be one who brings good news. With a skip in your step, a smile on your face and joy in your heart share the “Good News”: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.