The Apostle Paul, as he pours out his desire to see his brethren embrace the Gospel, paraphrases Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
I’ve been thinking a lot about that verse as we prepare to take nine of us to Papua New Guinea. Our hope is to encourage and learn about the ongoing mission to bring the Gospel to unreached tribes in those virtually unreachable mountains. We know that God sees the feet of those front-line missionaries as beautiful! I’m certain He also sees the feet of their co-workers at the missions base (where we’ll be staying) as beautiful, as they make it possible for the tribal work to occur. But what about an encouragement team? Pray with us that we will “bring glad tidings of good things” to our co-workers in the Far East. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of us – but I assure you it’s not the only opportunity this summer (or even this week) to get your own feet blessed!
To put it in context, Paul says, in Romans 10:12-15
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Their feet are beautiful to God because they are carrying His #1 message – the message of redemption – to those who haven’t believed. In 21st-Century middle America we too are surrounded by those who have yet to believe! I believe it’s incumbent upon all of us to use our feet to carry that message to our neighbors and friends. Since it’s often easier to carry the message as a team, would you consider joining us tomorrow, Saturday June 16, as we “bring tidings of good things” to our neighbors by washing their cars, fellowshipping over hot dogs, and inviting them to VBS? Speaking of which, next week (June 18-22) we have an opportunity to bless whole families with our beautiful feet by preaching the good news to their children. If you can help call Carolyn Bradley or Lori Diffenderfer and, even if you can’t help in person, consider making your knees beautiful this week as you pray for the workers (and for the Adult Missions Team in PNG)!
Pastor Scott
Grace Notes 