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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Isaiah 52:7
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!”
We all love motivators.
We all love good news. But what are the motivator’s words? What is the so-called good news? Today, we are surrounded by self-improvement programmes. If you analyse them, you will find that most promote the ‘real’ you within you to become god. You have the power within you to answer all your needs and aspirations. You don’t need anything or anyone else – search long enough within you and you will find sufficient inner strength to reach and realise your dreams and ambitions.
Unfortunately, there are a few flaws with that premise:
Firstly, it breeds isolation. It says, “I can do it.” But in order to do so, I must isolate myself to find my true self.
Secondly, it pretends that the problem is mental when in fact it is spiritual. And when they advocate ‘opening up my mind’ to find my true self, I open myself up to the works of the occult.
Thirdly, it masks morality, in that ‘the end justifies the means’.
Fourthly, it is a never-ending journey because no one has reached their full potential – they only ‘know’ it’s there somewhere and so it breeds eventual disillusion and guilt and the very opposite to what it pretends to promote.
Fifthly, it denies our true nature. We all know instinctively that we can’t do it in our own strength. Nevertheless, it promotes a lie, which is eventually exposed but only after a considerable waste of time, money and pain.
Sixthly, it overlooks the fact that an anchor, to be of any use, must be attached to the rock outside the boat.
Isaiah knew what ‘Good News’ really is. “Peace” – yes, but God given. “Salvation”, yes – but not of ourselves. “Good tidings”, yes – not ‘you as god’ but “Your God reigns!” In proclaiming the “Good News” and seeking to get the people to rejoice, he didn’t overlook the true message, probably the most profound message ever given. But the people didn’t grasp it.
They always saw their Deliverer as mightier than Moses. A King greater than David. A Ruler of ultimate authority before whom all would bow and preferably be beaten and annihilated.
But from verse 13 through to the end of Chapter 53, we have the most awesome picture of something and Someone completely different. And yet one which goes hand in hand with the servant of Chapter 42.
“See, My Servant will act wisely; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted” (v 13). Yes, a king, a majestic ruler. But wait, “Just as there were many who were appalled at Him – His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and His form marred beyond human likeness” (v 14). That’s confusing, isn’t it? One picture is good and majestic; the next is appalling and repulsive.
But wait, wait.
A king? No, not as we think. This One was “raised and lifted high” all right – but on a Cross.
He was beaten so badly that as He hung there, you couldn’t even recognise Him as a human being. So awful were His sufferings. Yes, and that is the Good News. Because through that, ‘He saved your soul’ and made ‘peace with God’ for you and me.
Our sin was not overlooked. It was paid for. It was atoned for.
That is how we have peace.
Peace with God.
Peace with ourselves and
Peace with each other.
Why not spend some time thanking God for all His love and grace and then go and give the real “Good News” to someone who desperately needs to hear it, today?
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