How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

We live in a world with plenty of wars waging. Some of these wars the news outlets champion and report about. Others they neglect. Why? Is it possible that those behind some of these news stations care more about their interests (money, position, and power) than the lives of those being killed?

Take for example the war in Ukraine. This is clearly promoted. Many come out saying they stand with the people of Ukraine. And that is, on the surface, a good thing. But when 7,000 Christians are murdered in Syria, the main news outlets do not report this much. They do not talk about terrorist hits on women and children in Israel as much as they talk about attacks on the Gaza Strip.

So what are we as Christians to do? Whose side do we take? The answer, I believe, is found in this verse.

When wars of old were fought in the outskirts of cities or farther away, runners would run back to the towns to proclaim the outcome of the war, so the women and children could prepare for victory or defeat. Many of the cities would be built into mountains or protected by mountains because they were able to be defended some of the sides of the city easier (mountains are hard for an army to scale).

And so those in the town would wait, with much anticipation, for the runners to come to the city. They either had good news or bad. There would likely be a signal the tower watchmen could read. There was either a bounce in the runner’s step or a defeated posture.

And so when the watchmen determined that the runner had good news, that they had succeeded in winning the battle or turning away the conquering army, they would shout for joy! The Jews would sing songs of praise to God.

This passage is also a foreshadowing of the eternal victory Jesus had over sin and death on the cross. He has sent out his runners and messengers to announce this freedom to the world. We are those runners, we are those messengers. We get to spread the gospel (the good news) of Jesus!

There will be rejoicing on earth and heaven for those who decide to follow him into his heavenly kingdom. Imagine with me people groups who are orphaned by the sin and darkness of this world awaiting a spiritual Savior. But we don’t need to imagine it … it is real! They are waiting, and a runner comes to tell them the good news about Jesus! Now, more important than the salvation of their physical bodies, their souls are redeemed for eternity!

Truly, the feet of those who bring the good news about Jesus are beautiful! They announce peace with God, they proclaim a righteousness that is granted by faith, and they proclaim the sovereignty of the Almighty God and his power over darkness. They are a bright light!

Lord, thank you for this vivid picture of the role you have called me to. May I, in excitement, look for every way possible, with the gifts and abilities you have given me, to share the good news with JOY!