How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7, NIV

 

News of any kind can attract peoples’ attention, but bad news leaves hearts heavy and anxious, and brows furrowed; by contrast, good news is a joy and a welcome relief. In our world it’s the dark things in life that seem to draw the most attention and occupy centre stage – death, destruction, natural disasters, wars, violence – and people who have no regard for human life, adding heartache to tragedy.

 

Good news brings light, warmth and a joyful smile to share with others. It’s like the sun breaking through the gloom of a cloudy day with a message for the world that says, “Don’t despair! There is hope.” It spells a pause from thinking of those negative things that make us anxious and depressed, fearful of the future, living life defensively, unsure of whom we are and where we fit in.

 

This verse from Isaiah evokes a beautiful image of the light, swift feet of the messenger joyfully dancing over rugged mountains, because God’s good news is real and will gladden hearts and transform lives through God’s peace, salvation and divine rule, bringing joy and hope.

 

What better quality news could they, or we, receive than that the God who created them and loves them has no equal, and that nothing can conquer Him, ever?

 

God’s good news is found in hs countless promises to his people over the years that are true and trustworthy: to be their God, (Jeremiah 30:22) to watch over them, (Psalm 121:5-8) to free them from bondage (Galatians 5:1) and restore their peace as he forgives them and returns them to their own land. (Jeremiah 33:6-9)

 

In this series we will choose to turn our eyes away from mankind’s glaring problems and the disregard of things that are “true … noble … right … pure … lovel y… admirable … excellent or praiseworthy …” (Philippians 4:8) and give ourselves over to restoring balance to our troubled minds and spirits as we immerse ourselves in God’s Good News.

 

As we discern God’s supreme authority, we will realise how much there is to rejoice in as we serve him, the only Creator, who graciously made himself known to us through Jesus Christ, his Son, our Saviour, the only One worthy of all honour, glory and praise.

 

Our God reigns! How beautiful to add our footprints to the mountains as we echo this good news.

 

Will you?

 

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, may this truth so transform our lives, and the joy it brings fill our hearts, that as we grow in your knowledge and grace we may carry your good news of salvation to the world. Amen