12/14/2024

Read: Isaiah 52:7 - “How beautiful upon the mountain 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!’”

Reflect: Peace is not only something to be attained, it is also something to be proclaimed. We have been given such a beautiful mission and ministry from our Lord, to proclaim His peace to anyone who will hear it. We are essentially continuing the mission of those angels who appeared to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth: proclaiming good tidings, the gospel of Jesus. And here Isaiah is equating the proclamation of peace with two things: proclaiming salvation to the lost and proclaiming God’s victory to the saved. As we bring the gospel (good news) to the lost, we are proclaiming the way for them to have peace with God. Through the life and death of Jesus, they are covered in His righteousness, and spared the wrath of God. And when we tell His people “your God reigns”, we proclaim the ultimate peace that is now and not yet. Victory has been won over death and sin through Jesus, and one day every knee will bow, and we will have lasting peace. It is a good and right thing for us to rest in the peace the Lord has brought us through Advent. But we must never forget the call to proclaim the peace our God has brought to the whole world if they would only receive the Savior who achieved it!

Respond: Go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him: how can I not only live in peace, but bring Your peace to the world around me today? Ask Him for the boldness to be a bringer of good tidings to all those around you who live in darkness. And thank Him that He is God who reigns eternally!