Sometimes Something Foreboding Can Be Good

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.’ (Proverbs 15:30); ‘(9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”’ (Luke 2:9-11)

We all want to hear good news; perhaps we will get the knock on the door and it’ll be Steve Harvey or Terry Bradshaw to congratulate us on being the new Publisher Clearing House sweepstakes winner (I hope if we win its Terry doing the knocking, being the all-time great Steelers QB).  We want our bosses telling us (even in an impersonal way) we are getting a bonus or raise.  It was joyous when we got the good news of Shirley being of child, and it’s good to hear the news of our kids coming to visit us (and of course it is good when the house becomes quiet again).  There could be things that aren’t so good happening, but good news is a blessing from God that lights up our lives even in the midst of a dark episode.

Good news is certainly better than bad news, though sometimes bad news isn’t really all that bad.  We are told that we have a major home issue that will cost thousands to repair, or perhaps a job layoff, or the passing of a friend or loved one.  When my mother was at her final days, and subsequently passed, it was sad and emotionally painful.  However, with some time passing, I found the comfort in Christ knowing that she was no longer suffering from all of her ailments (both physical and mental) and there was a burden lifted from us, a sense of relief and peace. 

It was not that I didn’t mourn my mother’s passing but I saw in the moment of personal tragedy the aspects of the good that resulted; no more worrying about Mom when we went on vacation, or if she was going to get swindled through a call or a knock on the door.  Those concerns ended when the Lord called her home, and I found peace that He did so when not only she was ready but I as well. 

Sometimes we think of something foreboding, but it turns out to be a blessing.  Luke 2:9-11 is such an occasion.  I don’t know about you, but if someone appears before me, shining brightly and likely floating off the ground; while I would like to think I would immediately acknowledge this person to be an Angel of God, I would probably react in sheer terror.  Like the shepherds, this would be terrifying at first; why would an angel appear like this, who is this angel, or did we drink from something that some drugs got dumped into?  Seeing an angel like that, suddenly appearing in front of me, I believe would be foreboding!

But the Angel was not foreboding at all, but instead gave the Good News that Jesus had come to fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Law.  Not all things that we fear are bad, and some bring Good News.  The bees in a swarm are frightening until we calm down and realize they don’t care about us but are going to do their job pollenating the flowers and making honey.  We sometimes draw conclusions of bad things happening when instead good things are coming.  Have Faith that the Lord will bring blessings and not harm.  We celebrate Easter at first for the terrible news of our Savior Jesus being crucified on the cross, but it ends in the celebration that He arose in conquering Death & Hell on the third day!  That’s Good News from a foreboding beginning! 

Look for God’s blessings in all things, and you’ll often find even in bad news that there is always something good that the Lord will provide.