Today is one of those bad news-good news days. We all face bad news in our lives but honestly, the worst news we can ever be confronted with is that there is a God in heaven, and that He judges each of us according to our deeds.

Depending on where you sit, that may seem like a joke or it could absolutely terrify you. I’m in the latter camp because I believe with all my heart that there is a God in heaven and that He does judge us. Here’s why I believe that:

Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve. (NIV)

That’s not just bad news, it’s terrifying. Look, if there is a God, you’d want Him to be just, right? So many people get away with so much in this world. Ultimately, you want them to receive their just desserts. And that’s exactly what God’s saying here. He searches every heart, He examines every mind – yours, mine and everyone else’s. He sees everything we do.

And we both know that in the court of His justice, given the dark things that’ve swilled round in our hearts, the terrible things we’ve thought about and done, it’s not going to end well for us. That’s a terrifying prospect. We’re all doomed.

But this God of justice is also the God of love. And that’s why He sent Jesus to take our place, bearing the punishment our deeds deserve. On the cross, Jesus was treated according to our deeds, so that we might be treated according to His perfect righteousness. 

That’s the good news. Put all your trust in Jesus, and you will be saved.

Because that’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.