Scripture

Isaiah 52:7 NRSV

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Consider

We all love to hear good news. More than that, we need to hear good news. When our world feels burdened with one dark story after another, telling of cruelty and violence, sickness and despair, a story of heroism or generosity calls to us like a beam of sunlight through a bank of storm clouds. Reminders of goodness in the world hearten and refresh us with reasons to hope.

In poetic language, the prophet Isaiah describes how welcome is the news that God reigns! Even people who refuse to acknowledge God’s existence long for the blessings of God’s power and goodness in the world—peace that supplants hatred and violence, the prospect of hope in the face of despair, salvation from the ravages of sin and selfishness, and relief from the burden of trying to govern the world rightly with our pitiful human intellect and notions of morality.

Every person in every nation needs the refreshment of knowing that our loving, powerful, and unchanging God has a firm and competent hold on the affairs of the world. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that we are tasked with carrying that bright beam of hope to a dark world. We are the messengers of a story that every person needs to hear. With our words and our actions, with our every effort to be kind and forgiving and restorative, we share the beautiful truth of God’s goodness and sovereignty and the sustaining hope of God’s salvation through Jesus.

Pray

O God, our Lord and Creator, thank you for evidence that your goodness does overcome evil and that your light does subdue the dark powers of this world. Give me beautiful feet that do not hesitate to walk in dark places but stay true to your path of salvation. Show me opportunities to speak and act in ways that refresh and encourage people to trust in your sovereignty.

Reflect

Romans 10:14-15; Revelation 21:22-27

Ponder

What can I do to remind people of God’s goodness and sovereignty this Advent season?