Be a Joyful Messenger

Isaiah 52:7-9 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!” 8 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. 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.
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Luke 2:10-11, 15, 20 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord…15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”…20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
 
DO you see the action here? Messengers announce the news. Watchmen tell the good news. Angels proclaim. Shepherds go.
   An experienced watchman knew good news was coming when the messenger’s feet ran quickly and lightly from the battle to eagerly proclaim victory. Even as the runner was far off, the watchman would gladly announce these tidings of joy arriving on the feet of those who brought the good news of victory. A natural outpouring of song and praise came from the citizens as they celebrated salvation from an enemy.
   On that glorious night in Bethlehem’s pastures, the shepherds became God’s watchmen and messengers. Eagerly, in joy and anticipation, wonder and awe, the working men received the good news, and shepherds’ feet took them to see the King. Then with victory in their steps and a song on their tongues they proclaimed to the world all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. How beautiful it would be in our Christian lives to be such witnesses of God’s victorious news, then to be his messengers who joyfully run to announce the victory proclamation: “A Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord!” Indeed, how beautiful it is to truly know the good news, to joyfully “run” with a song on you heart and soul to tell the good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
   Be the King’s faithful messengers to your family and your community. Your life will glorify and praise God for all the things (you) had heard and seen.
   Do you glorify God? You do if you talk of God’s salvation, telling people he has given you victory in your battle against sin. Glorify God with your love, mercy, grace and peace toward others. The good news is much too good to keep to yourself.   
    
Prayer: Lord God, urge my feet onward, loosen my tongue upward to tell the good news of great joy that is for all the people. Amen.