Newsletter Aug '08

Think again, you fools!
When will you finally catch on?
Is the one who made your ears deaf?
Is the one who formed your eyes blind?
He punishes the nations—won’t he also punish you?
He knows everything—doesn’t he also know what you are doing?
The Lord knows people’s thoughts, that they are worthless!
Happy are those whom you discipline, Lord,
And those whom you teach from your law.
You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked.
The Lord will not reject his people;
He will not abandon his own special possession.
Judgment will come again for the righteous,
And those who are upright will have a reward.
Psalm 94:8-15

Do you know what the word “gospel” means? It means Good News!

Today we have technology’s mixed blessing of finding out about events more quickly and in greater detail than ever before. Unfortunately, most of what we see or hear in the news is the negative. When negative information fills our minds, it’s hard not to be cynical.

In the Psalm I have quoted above, it seems as if the psalmist could think of nothing but bad news. He saw evil people prospering and oppressing others, corrupt governments, and the condemnation of the innocent, much like what we see in our world today. But, by the end of the Psalm we learn that in spite of all the bad news he remains hopeful and expectant of God. The psalmist resists the temptation to become cynical even though it seems that there is nothing but bad news to report everywhere he looks. He takes comfort in remaining faithful to the promise that God would never allow evil to continue forever. The psalmist takes comfort and refuge in God’s promise, rather become cynical.

If you’ve ever been around a cynical person, you know how maddening such company can be. Saturday Night Live used to do a skit called “Debbie Downer”. Each skit presented a context that was lively and celebrative, like a birthday party, or office party. Then, just as everyone began enjoying the moment, Debbie would announce some cynical remark and bring the party to a screeching halt. And, in no time at all, completely turn the atmosphere from positive to negative. It was funny on Saturday Night Live, but it’s not funny in real life. A cynical outlook on life has two problems: 1. Negative attitudes are rarely necessary, and rarely appreciated. It may indeed be necessary to speak the truth. Even so, if done with love even negative news can be communicated with a positive attitude. 2. A cynical attitude makes every situation look bleak and hopeless, even when it’s not.

So, what’s the cure for the cynic, or the potential to become a cynic in all of us? Into a world that seems fraught with bad news—we have been given the Good News—the gospel of Jesus Christ! The “good news” of Jesus Christ overpowers the bad news because it sheds the light of God upon every bad news situation and promises new life. It is this “gospel” power that turns the bleakest day in human history—when Jesus was crucified—into what we know as “Good” Friday. The power of the gospel is God’s gift to us, and with it believers are never without hope.

The cynic looks upon the world and declares something to the effect of, “It’s all going to hell!” But, the faithful are never without hope. They express trust in God and commit themselves to taking responsibility for this life as a sign of God’s gift of the gospel.

When overwhelmed by bad news, we can resist the temptation to become cynical. Instead, we can take guidance from the psalm. We can give our anger and frustration to God, and allow the gospel to reassure our hope. With God’s good news to strengthen and encourage, we can then carry on in a course of action that faces the bad news with hope and security.

There’s a bluegrass gospel song that is sung regularly in our church that declares this same message. I’d like to close this month’s devotion with it. It’s called Keep On the Sunny Side.

There's a dark and a troubled side of life
There's a bright and a sunny side too
Though we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view

Refrain
Keep on the sunny side always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day
It will brighten all our way
If we keep on the sunny side of life

Oh the storm and its fury broke today
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear
The clouds and storm will in time pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear
Refrain

Let us greet with a song of hope each day
Though the moment be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Savior always
To keep us every one in His care
Refrain