Beautiful Feet

Isaiah 52:7 - "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news (εὐαγγελιζομένου in the LXX), who publishes peace (εἰρήνης), who brings good news of happiness (ἀγαθά), who publishes salvation (σωτηρίαν), who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns (βασιλεύσει).'”

I have been reflecting upon this passage, and it is so marvelous. The feet of the evangelist, the bringer of the good news about God, the victorious King who reigns, working salvation for His people by His power and authority, bringing about peace and happiness to His people, such feet are beautiful.

When I read this passage, I envision a people, a watchman, waiting with bated breath for news about a far-off battle. Are we in danger? Will the enemy be victorious and defeat our army? Should we flee? Will we have victory and peace or defeat? All the uncertainty, the fear, the danger. Then off in the distance one sees a runner coming with news of the battle. Will it be good? Will it be bad? Has God heard our prayers and is He for us? Will He deliver us from our oppressors?

The Good News is Good News and those who bring it are beautiful to the recipients! Like a cool drink of water to a parched tongue. Like air to a drowning man. How often do we consider the message of the Gospel in terms of something that brings peace and happiness to the hearers?

Often, I think we don't want to bother anyone. We don't want to impose our beliefs on another. Yet, we have the greatest message that brings joy and happiness to those who would receive it. Of course, the Bible is realistic, there are always those who will consider this message as foolishness, who will reject Jesus as King, who will make themselves enemies of the cross, but to those who receive the message, oh what good news.

We can be those beautiful feet who bring the message of the victory of God, that God is King! That God, in Christ was reconciling the world to himself (2 Corinthians 5:19) and removing enmity between God and man (Romans 5:1). That God, in Christ was not counting our sins against us, but redeeming us from under sin, Satan, and the world. That God, in Christ was adopting us and calling us sons of God (Ephesians 1:4-5).

In Him we have a hope and a future. Life under God's reign is good, and beautiful, and joyous. Our present groanings are but momentary and incomparable to the glory that awaits the sons of God as we await our adoption (Romans 8:18-23). In the present, we rejoice that Jesus is LORD! He reigns and we as His people experience His salvation, peace and happiness! Oh, how good, how good and beautiful! Let the nations be glad and praise our Great God!