Isaiah 52:1-12
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7, NKJV)
Isaiah looks 175 years into the future when the Jews would return from Babylon and dwell again in Jerusalem. He pictures someone arriving on the mountains of Jerusalem announcing that the LORD has defeated the enemy and the people are returning to their homeland. But this prophecy also looks far into the future when all of Israel will be regathered from all nations. Then the land will expand its borders to what God originally promised Abraham. The Jews will dwell in Israel in peace, for God will protect them always.
Of course, this promise also applies to us, for we have already received the good news of peace with God, fullness of joy, and everlasting salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul quoted this verse in Romans 10:
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:14–15, NKJV)
God has not saved us just so that we can have our names written in heaven and live however we want on earth. To be sure, God has given us many spiritual riches in Christ that we now enjoy. But God also saves us so that He can send us. He works in our lives and shows us His compassion so that we can tell others what God has done for us. He wants us to share His good news of peace with others. Are we ashamed to bring the gospel into our social circles? Are we afraid to drop the name of Jesus?
Not everyone we encounter will receive the Gospel. Some will scoff; others simply aren’t interested. But to those who believe, we have beautiful feet and comforting speech. We bring the joyful message that God forgives our sins and gives us the gift of eternal life. We give others hope that despite what is going on in the world, our God reigns!