Bearer of Good News
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem. Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God. Isaiah 52:7-10 NLT
From the text, Isaiah is not complimenting someone’s feet; “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news” (Isaiah 52:7). He is referring to the sound of the footsteps of a runner bringing the good news. Imagine a Greek soldier returning from war running from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. delivering and shouting the message, “Rejoice, we won!” The announcement is welcomed good news that needs to be heard so that discouragements and despairs will be overcome. The good news of peace and salvation refers to the abounding reign of God. Once there is a confession of faith in God’s Lordship over one’s life, it results in peace and salvation; “the God of Israel reigns!” This is good news because of the affirmation that God is Sovereign and He is in control. This puts limits to the persecution and suffering believers will go through in life because of their faith. This is good news, because of God’s grace God already won the victory over everything that oppresses His children. This is good news because it confirms that God loves us with a love that cannot be overcome. The good news of the gospel is powerful that it lifts us up out of our defeatist attitude. “This Good News about Christ...is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). There is no end as to what the good news provides to those that submit to the reign of God. The one bearing the good news will be welcomed by the watchmen on the city wall (Isaiah 52:8). Because of the message of the good news, the “ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song (Isaiah 52:9). Then nations will be drawn to see the power of God as far as the ends of the earth (Isaiah 52:10). As the Psalmist declared, “They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest” (Psalm 126:6).
Blessings,
