Day 6 of Daily Bible Study

January 6
In our sermon today on Our Greatest Gift to Others, by Rev. Bill Dages, this Scripture passage was read: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:14-15).

The Daily Bible Reading begins in Genesis 11:1, when the earth had one language and men contemplated using brick and asphalt in building themselves a city and tower "whose top is in the heavens". Unfortunately, when men aspire to greatness they become self-centered and experience a predictable fall (at least it's predictable from God's viewpoint-Proverbs 16:18). In Isaiah 14, we read that Lucifer planned to "ascend into Heaven" for the purpose of  exalting himself. Both of these situations have PRIDE written all over them.

During the sermon this morning, I was puzzled how "feet" could be considered beautiful to someone. To get a really good view of feet, one would have to be on the ground. This could describe a person who has been humbled, who has had the pride knocked out of him by whatever circumstances. If I were on the ground suffering, in misery, and all alone, perhaps even unable to look up, and someone came to help me, bringing me good news--I would probably think those were the most beautiful feet I have ever seen! 

When we exalt ourselves, God says we will be humbled (Matthew 23:12). When we are humbled (or more often, when God softens our heart by humbling us), we are thankful for some relief--for some good news that there is actually a way out of our misery! A lack of understanding about God leads one to think he or she is so invincible it is possible to disregard God and be exalted to greatness.

Psalms 4:1, contributes to this line of thought in the description of a prayer of humility that seeks God's mercy. Then Proverbs 1:28-30, portrays the results of an arrogant attitude that leaves one cut off from God.
The study concludes with instruction by Jesus Himself to "be clothed through faith, with the righteousness of Christ" (Matthew 5:48), without which 'no one will see the Lord' (Hebrews 12:14)"--not even if they build a tower into heaven!

In closing, I want to share this powerful thought from our sermon today (this is not the exact quote). However, Horatius Bonar was quoted in his book, "God's Way of Peace", as saying that not knowing God well enough is at the root of all our despair. This statement requires much contemplation and meditation--it is such a key thought! As Christians, it is our responsibility to convey the truth about the God of Love, to let others know there is indeed a way out of their misery! There are so many on the ground who have "fallen" in the process of self-exaltation and the search for the good life. They do not know God well enough to know that He has a garment of righteousness prepared for them with unimaginable love. They are waiting for someone to bring them hope and healing. A hard question for Believers: What am I doing to take the Good News to those who wait in misery and despair? Are my feet "beautiful feet"?