Nahum 1:15
“Look to the mountains—the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows. For the wicked will never again march through you; they will be utterly cut off.”
This verse is similar to the one in Isaiah. The words are slightly different and Isaiah passage is the more popular verse. It says “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news”. The immediate context is the news of the destruction of Nineveh. It was the seat of the Assyrian nation who bullied Israel. The good news is that they are gone and will no longer bother Israel.
The secondary meaning is the good news of the gospel shared in Romans 10:15, ‘And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”’
If we share Christ with someone, then He is referring to our feet. Heaven celebrates this. Particularly if the hearer accepts it. Luke 15:10 says, “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” Granted that is full acceptance. However, I believe there are smaller acceptances before one converts. There are baby steps.
This shows the importance of sharing the gospel. Jesus told us to do so in Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus tells us to share what God has done for us in Mark 5:19, ‘But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”’
God puts the desire to share His good news in our hearts. Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” His will is for all to come to Him.
Even though we want to share Christ with others, we can often be nervous to do so. Why is that? Jesus said in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.” The world hates God and His Word. So does our flesh. Romans 8:7 says, “because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Lastly the devil hates God and seeks to thwart His will whenever he can. We are sharing God’s good news to a hostile audience. That’s why we are anxious to share the gospel. We want people to like us. That’s natural. But we need to go against that fear and speak of Him.
We tell of God in small bites. We don’t share His Word and ask them to convert in one conversation. 2 Corinthians 5:11 says, “Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.” This persuasion takes time.
Some are more gifted in evangelism. We seem to have different roles. Jesus hints at that in John 4:37, “For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.” I tend to be a sower. I have brought people to Christ, but I tend to sow seeds of His message.
God is pleased when we share of Him. He prompts us to do so, sometimes He gives us the words and/or the ideas to do so. Sometimes it’s us. Sometimes we share when we shouldn’t or maybe say too much or the wrong message. Some aren’t ready to hear or are antagonistic, like “casing pearls before swine”.
God can give confidence to share His word. Paul prays for that in Ephesians 6:19, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel”. We should pray that as well.
We have lived the good news. He has blessed our lives so. He has forgiven us, freed us from sin, given us joy, blessed us with opportunities, blessed us with good opportunities, adopted us as His children and so on. We’ve got good news to share. Speak of it. Thank You, Lord, for the opportunities to do so.