Day Eighteen - Compassion hymn

The prophet Isaiah wrote: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” (52:7 NRSV)

Stuart Townend, Keith and Kristyn Getty wrote: How beautiful the feet that carry this Gospel of peace to the fields of injustice and the valleys of need; to be a voice of hope and healing, to answer the cries of the hungry and helpless, with the mercy of Christ.

The prophecy from Isaiah is quoted in Romans 10: 13-15 (NRSV): For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Romans 10 is used on the feast of St Andrew the Apostle and, although we are not big on Saints days in the Congregational Federation, since I first lived in the Witney area, in 1985, I have been aware of Open Doors. This was founded by Brother Andrew (Andrew van der Bijl) - a 20th century Christian missionary who took these words to heart and set out to take the Good News behind the Iron Curtain and subsequently all over the world. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_van_der_Bijl)

The difference in the meaning of the messenger with beautiful feet over eight centuries is what I find interesting. When we read Isaiah 52:7, it seems complete in itself – to the community in exile, the reminder that God still reigns and that peace, good news and salvation will soon be theirs must have been music to their ears. The modern version obviously involves Christ, but speaks to believers – there is not one messenger, instead it is the calling of all who follow Jesus to go into “fields of injustice” to be the “voice of hope and healing”.

We often pray in general terms for peace but here the songwriters give us a clear instruction: we must find places where injustice occurs and share the eternal hope that we have been given. Not many of us feel we have been equipped with the footwear “ready to proclaim the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 4:15 NRSV), but we all know how to pray and finding organisations such as Open Doors to support with our prayers is a good start! (https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/)

Father God, we all love to sing our praises to you – help us to be more aware of the words we sing, so that our praise continues in our lives long after we have finished singing.

Jesus our Saviour, you came to redeem the whole world. Make us ambassadors for you, in whatever way we feel able – spreading your message of love, peace, justice and reconciliation.

Holy Spirit, be with all whose Gospel shoes take them into dangerous places. Give them the assurance that you are always with them. Amen.

Elaine Kinchin