Make mine pistachio

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of a messenger who proclaims peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God rules!” Isaiah 52:7

I live a besieged life. The Enemy is around and about and I am indeed surrounded and harried.  Which is not all bad, as Matteo reminds me, as the LORD is in the process of peeling away that which is worthy to be lost as we learn to love Him for who He is and not the easy gifts.  However, I know well those hours just before dawn.  It is dark.  And cold.  And it has been a long night.  Everything in me waits for Adonai more than guards on watch wait for morning, more than guards on watch wait for morning. 

And I wait.  

There is movement in the silent crowd.  A faint whisper of hope sparks in the chilled gloom.  It grows.  Swells.  And sweeps across the uplifted faces.  Allegro.  (Cheerful and brisk and upbeat, explained Igor last night, as we celebrated his high school graduation at the local gelateria.) And in the distance, the reaching daybreak glimmers and highlights the approaching messenger.  Agile and adept, He leaps the boulders and small ravines.  Beautiful.

And what is the message He proclaims?  Peace.  Not as the world gives you.  Do not let your heart be troubled.  

This is indeed good news.  Good news in the profound sense, in the same sense as in the beginning when God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.

Salvation is here.  He has come in triumph to drive out the remnants of the Enemy, heal the brokenness, and plant new vineyards. The created order is being restored.

And I should live in this truth.  With celebration.  The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy.  They sing for joy because the news that the messenger brings is that the battle has been won.  

Therefore let me sing.  Well, at least in my heart.   Let my step be light as I move through the day.  Peace.  Good news.  Salvation.  

And be grateful for the easy gifts from His hand.  A morning capuchino with a sprinkle of cocoa.  The floaty white clouds.  The fountain gurgling in the greenhouse. Delicious gelato in so many flavors especially salted caramel served with enthusiasm and eaten with beloved friends and family on a breezy summer night.  They are many.  And good.  A foretaste of what is to come.