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
A good pair of shoes can do wonderful things for you. If you walk a lot you need support. If you run you need lightweight shoes with good grip. If you hike you want durable shoes that can stand up to the terrain you are going through. In the same way God shows us that the good news of the gospel will be like a pair of shoes that cover our way. We can have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. Now that we have peace with God we walk in that peace. (To walk in Biblical terms means to live out your life in that way.) Everyday when we get up in the morning we need to dress ourselves and put on the peace of God that supports our walk. In Ephesians part of our spiritual armor is having our feet fitted with the preparation of the gospel of peace. God says that is a beautiful thing. In both Isaiah and Romans we can see that when we bring the peace that we walk in and proclaim it to others that there is beauty that comes. It is the beauty of the calm after the storm. It is the beauty of two people who were at odds reconciling, forgiving and coming together in love and unity. It is the beauty of a sinner who was lost, hurting and broken, who was opposed to God, that now lays down their life and receives the forgiveness and love of God in Christ. How beautiful. Every time there are people who respond to the message of the gospel, whether one on one or in a group setting like when an altar call is given in church, we should look in awe and wonder at the beauty of the peace that is being experienced. Make it your aim to put on peace every morning. Jesus is sending you out with a commission to proclaim His peace to others. You might want to remind yourself of it when you put on your shoes. Pray and thank God for giving you His peace through the cross and purpose to walk in that peace throughout your day. Not only that, be prepared to proclaim that peace to others. Who can you walk over to and share the peace of God that is available to them? Pray for them and look for opportunities to share the love and the peace of God.
