Good News!

Good news! We enjoy it. Sometimes in the midst of a lot of bad news reported by the media we crave hearing some good news. Good news makes us feel good. Good news makes us happy. Good news picks up our spirits. Good news reminds us life is worth living in spite of its challenges.

When angels appeared to shepherds watching their sheep, they were struck by fear. ( Luke 2:9) However that fear changed to "glorifying and praising God." ( Luke 2:20) What made the difference? Good news!

We read. . .
"(10) And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is BORN THIS DAY in the city of David A SAVIOR, who is CHRIST THE LORD." ( Luke 2:10-11 ESV)

They went. They saw. They believed. And they REJOICED! It truly was "GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY"! The hoped for Messiah had become a reality! The promise of God had come to fruition. And the hope we have in Christ should cause the same JOY in spite of bad news that might be around us because that JOY is in relation to not just this life, but to eternity!

Peter encouraged those to whom he wrote by reminding them of the "living hope" they had received through the resurrection of Christ from the dead. ( 1 Peter 1:3) That hope also related to an inheritance Peter described as being "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading", being reserved in heaven. ( 1 Peter 1:4) Therefore, even though these Christians to whom Peter wrote were undergoing the challenge of persecution, their focus of hope in Christ was a source of GREAT JOY.

Peter went on to state with regard to the focus on Christ. . .
"(8) Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, YOU BELIEVE IN HIM AND REJOICE WITH JOY THAT IS INEXPRESSIBLE and filled with glory, (9) obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." ( 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV)

Yes, in the reality of the salvation we have in Christ, we truly have "GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY"; JOY "inexpressible"! May that JOY compel us to continue pressing on in faith -- in spite of the challenges of life -- as we recognize all God ultimately has in store for us.

Have a great day REJOICING IN THE SALVATION THAT IS OURS IN CHRIST!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Joy