Really, Really, Really, Really Good News

 TITLE: Really, Really, Really, Really Good News
DATE: February 19, 2019
TEXT: Luke 2:10-11 -(ESV) - 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.

Sometimes I have a difficult time deciding if something is good news or bad news.

For example, since the Cold War ended, the US and Russia haven’t developed many nuclear weapons. I’m pretty sure that’s good news.

I say I’m “pretty sure” because a small number of new nuclear  weapons have been put into production. For example, the Russians have developed some low-yield nuclear devices. Once again, from my perspective that seems to be bad news.

In response to the Russians new weapon, the U.S. of A. has put into production the W76-2, our  very own low-yield nuclear warhead. For those who are curious, this new weapon has a yield of 5 to 7 kilotons which is less than half the size of the weapon which was dropped on Hiroshima.  So, having a weapon to counter the Russians and one which isn’t going to do lots and lots of damage is a good thing, right?

Of course the Russians have their weapon now (that’s bad news) and ours won’t begin to be delivered until October. (which can be good or bad news.)

The idea of having little nukes which aren’t “too big to use” seems like good news; but the fact that having a nuclear warhead which really can be used makes the possibility of war between super-powers more palatable and possible, .that is. most definitely, bad news.  

Then, of course, comes the possibility that some well-funded hate group can get their hands on one, or more,  of these new devices and the sky is the limit when it comes to the bad news that kind of thing can generate.

So there you have it, folks. What is good news for the goose, is not necessarily so for the gander.

The rain which saves a farmer’s crop from drought is the rain which stops the road crew from working and getting paid.  Is the rain good or bad news?

The person who gives a large, undesignated sum to the church. Is it good or bad news?. Well, if that gift leads to internal fighting about where the money should go, that’s bad. If it encourages other people to cut back on their support, that’s bad. If it creates and sustains and builds… well, that’s good news,  isn’t it?

Can ‘t tell good news from bad? If that’s the situation  in which you find yourself, well Daily Devotiouners I’ve got, no, make that, the angels have got ‘ good news for you.” With just a few words God gives  us the good news that

1. He is keeping His promise to redeem this sinful world;
2. that He has sent His Son to defeat sin,  death and devil,
3. that God’s Son is the world’s Savior.

And although there are many who reject, hate, deny, and despise God’s Son, our Savior, He still is Who He is… God’s Good news who saves souls.

THE PRAYER:  Dear Lord, this world can be a pretty confusing place. Help us remember that no matter what other people may say,  Jesus is still the world’s only Savior; He is still our only Way to forgiveness and salvation. In His Name. Amen.

Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written Rob Quinn for Newser on January 29, 2019 .  Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/270561/trumps-new-nuclear-weapon-is-now-in-production.html

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html