Blessed
are the peace makers for they shall be called the sons of God.
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!”
(Isaiah
52:7)
We
used to sing this beautiful verse in church. It was very enthusiastic and
up-lifting, but I don’t think I ever really thought much about it.
In
Ephesians 6:10-18 the apostle Paul is writing about putting on the armor of God
so that we can be prepared to do battle with principalities, powers and the
world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in
high places (verse 12). In verse 15 he writes;
and
your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Thinking
of shoes for doing battle, I suspect fashion and style might not be the primary
consideration. Practical strong and comfortable in all situations are probably
more important.
The
gospel of peace, the good news of peace, what does that mean?
God
in his great love has seen that we are lost in our own arrogance and lust, and
because of that love He sent Jesus to show us the way back to himself and to
pay the redemption price for our sin. This is a large part of the gospel of
peace.
How
do I make peace? How do I share this peace?
I
can only say what I have seen. Those who have most effectively brought this
peace to me are those who have most fully entered into this peace themselves.
I
suspect that this is the way to put on shoes that will stand up in battle and
will take peace to those in need.
Father of
Love, help me to be ever conscious of the good news of peace that you have
given to me. Help me to keep my heart open to you so that my heart will be open
to those you love and want to bring into your love. Please dear Father make me
an instrument of your peace. In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
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