Need Some Good News: 4th Week of Advent, Day 3

Week 4 Day 3: Isaiah 52:7-10

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem. Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God. (NLT)

When was the last time you received good news? Maybe the seller accepted your offer on the house or the doctor’s report said the tumor was benign. Good news comes at a time of anxiety or fear of loss. Just when you think you’re about to go under, God’s provision comes through. That’s good news.

At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy, Israel had been under Babylonian captivity for 20 years. The Israelites were granted permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild, but it wasn’t that simple. King Darius hadn’t supplied all that he had offered. God’s people faced rebel forces in Jerusalem. The hopes of rebuilding were quickly dashed by the situation around them.

Then, God sends good news. The Lord is returning to Jerusalem. He will comfort His people. He will redeem them. They no longer have to depend on a pagan king. God’s people can depend on God Himself.

An old proverb says, “It’s always the darkest before the dawn.” I’m not a meteorologist, so I don’t know if scientifically that statement is true. But, apparently, enough people over time have experienced this phenomenon that it became a proverb.

We always need God. When things are going well, we tend to forget about God. When things have gone wrong, we desperately need Him.

For some of you, this is a good day. So, do something intentional to recognize God’s presence with you today. For others, this is a dark day. Good news is coming.


Copyright © 2009 by Allen White

All Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.