I truly dislike politics (not a surprise to anyone who knows me). And nothing annoys me more than news broadcasts. To me, it is nothing but “doom and gloom.” Everything is bad news. Oh, there are the occasional human-interest stories, but they are far outweighed by the sad, tragic, evil, discouraging events focused on. And politics …? Do not get me started!
When I listen to the politicians and newscasters, I can picture them breaking out into song. Not “Happy Days are Here Again” but the song we used to hear on “Hee-Haw.”
“Gloom, despair, and agony on me / Deep, dark depression, excessive misery / If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all /Gloom, despair, and agony on me.” [GLOOM, DESPAIR AND AGONY ON ME, From the TV Show “Hee-Haw” (1969 -1992) Buck Owens & Roy Clark]
Scripture reminds us continually – through the Old Testament and the New – that our hearts are to focus not on the doom and gloom of life, but on “rejoicing!”
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” [Philippians 4:4-9 NLT]
How can we Rejoice(!) amid a world of doom and gloom? By remembering our “LORD is coming soon!”
He will make everything right.
