READ: Isaiah 52 (Focus vs. 4-10)
MEMORY VERSE
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” Isaiah 52:7
BACKGROUND
The man was harvesting onions when we prayerfully approached him during the home visits we were conducting on our mission trip in Ecuador. In broken Spanish, I told him my friends and I would like to briefly speak to him about the Bible.
He paused to listen as we shared our testimonies with him. Then one of my teammates started reading Scripture aloud in English.
What a sacred moment it was for all to hear the good news read on the side of the Andes mountains as the man read along in Spanish with the booklet we had given him! We talked with him and his family who’d been working off in the distance, prayed for them, and continued to the next house.
As we walked along the mountainside reading Scripture and talking to people about Christ, I thought of Jesus and His disciples walking along the hills and valleys of Israel during His earthly ministry.
Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.”
The prophet was referring to the time when God’s people would return to their homeland after years in exile, but it still applies to us today whenever we share the good news of Jesus with others.
Our opportunities may not be in the spectacular Andes, but wherever God has placed us, the Holy Spirit can help us share the message of salvation with those He puts in our path.
Nancy Gavilanes
INSIGHT
In the divine soliloquy in Isaiah 52:4-10, God referenced the past and present slaveries of His chosen people. They were once slaves in Egypt, and the people in the Northern Kingdom of Israel were enslaved by Assyrians (v. 4).
Those in Judah too would soon be enslaved by the Babylonians (39:6-7). But God promised that in due time He’d bring them back from foreign bondage and restore Jerusalem (11:11; 54:11-15).
Messengers would be sent to proclaim this good news of redemption and deliverance (52:7-10). “When the Lord returns to Zion…all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God” (vv. 8, 10).
We were all once slaves to sin, but Jesus sets free those who trust in Him (Romans 6:16-18). Paul cites Isaiah 52:7 in Romans 10:15 to encourage believers in Christ to proclaim the good news of salvation: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
Who shared the gospel with you? Who can you share your faith with?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
Our opportunities (to share the Gospel) may not…spectacular, but wherever God has placed us, the Holy Spirit can help us share the message of salvation with those He puts in our path.
PR’s TAKE
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Romans 1:16
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.” Ephesians 6:18-20
PRAYER
“Dear God, please give me courage to tell others about Jesus.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“BEAUTIFUL FEET” Donald Lawrence
Beautiful are the feet of those which carry this gospel
They go where they are sent without a compliment
Yet they still smile sometimes crying inside
Beautiful they have beautiful feet
So don’t give up on this gospel
Don’t let life destroy your faith
Don’t give up on this message
Oh beautiful they have beautiful feet
Beautiful are the feet, of those who carry this gospel
Oh if you only knew, the things that they go through
Yet they still care
They inspire others to live
Beautiful they have beautiful feet
So don’t give up on this gospel
Don’t let life destroy your faith
Don’t give up on this message
Oh beautiful they have beautiful feet
