“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:7).

Many used to believe that, when anyone received a telegram, it inevitably carried bad news. They never dreamed that good tidings could come from a cabled message. Surely much news that we as believers receive is good news that brings blessing and joy to our hearts, yet, at times, evil tidings do come our way; possibly even those matters that we feared ahead of time. Years ago Job stated it thusly: “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me” (Job 3:25).

The righteous do not have to be afraid of evil tidings. The reasons listed by the psalmist are as follows: “His heart is fixed”—not on himself, or others, but his trust is “in the LORD.” Many times our hearts are fixed on the problem rather than on the problem-solver, the Lord Jesus Christ. David expressed it beautifully: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (Psalm 57:7). “O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory” (Psalm 108:1). “His heart is established” (Psalm 112:8), that is, sustained and supported by God. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear” (Psalm 46:1,2). There is no fear when our hearts are established in the truth that the all-knowing, ever-present, Almighty God is on our side sustaining and supporting us. “Surely he shall not be moved for ever” (Psalm 112:6). “The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance” (v.6). God does forget our sins: “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Hebrews 10:17), but He will never forget us. He will keep us in everlasting remembrance! NPS