We all know that we live in a bad-news world: sickness, death, fights, wars, tragedies, etc.  Indeed, in a very real sense it is a bad-news world (but we do not have to let it get to us). All of that is going to change, however, when Jesus Christ returns and brings God’s kingdom to this world.

In Isaiah 52:7 we read the words, “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, and says to Zion, Your God reigns!”  In the unfolding flow of Isaiah’s prophecy, Isaiah is telling embattled Israel that her age-old, spiritual war has finally come to an end.  Israel’s spiritual war was caused by her own rebellion against God when she broke the Sinaitic Covenant by turning from Yahweh to idols.  She broke the covenant (Deut. 28:15-68; cf. Jer. 31:31).  God’s promise to Israel was that even though she had fallen into apostasy, one day He would restore Her under a New Covenant (Deut. 30:1-10; Jer. 31:31-34).  The good news Isaiah is announcing here in 52:7 is the good news that one day the day of war is going to come to an end, and the day of restoration will finally come to this world–and to Israel in particular (cf. Zech. 13:8-9).  The restoration will be perfect and complete, for the price for this restoration was the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.  When He died, He paid the full and perfect price of redemption for all who believe (Isa. 53:4-6; Matt. 20:28; Eph. 1:6-12; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18).

We who live in the church age receive perfect redemption and perfect forgiveness with the promise of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph. 1:3).  All of this is ours, and it is freely given to all who believe (Acts 16:31; Rom. 1:16; 10:13).  Israel has the good news of a future restoration as we see in Isaiah, but their good news of restoration is the same good news that each one of us has by faith in God’s Son.

Yes, we still live in a “bad-news world,” but as Christians we do not have to let the bad news that surrounds us make us grumpy people.  Our need, no matter what this world might bring our way, is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus Christ.  By this commitment, we can learn to have a peace and joy that elevates our heart above the sorrows of a fallen world.  This is the way we need to think and direct our minds.  Let us remember this truth and apply it daily.

Love, Pastor Tim

 

 

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