13 - Advent
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 13 | GOD’S ANGEL SPEAKS
Christmas–Advent 2023
Day 13 | GOD’S ANGEL SPEAKS
GOD’S ANGEL SPEAKS
Luke 2:8-9
“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.”
Have you ever HEARD the LORD talk to you? How about an angel? Have you ever felt that one was near? Have you ever wished you could have listened in as Moses and God talked on the mountain?
As a pastor, I’ve had many people through the years ask me “WHY hasn’t God ever spoken to me?”
I maintain that He HAS and DOES talk to His children ALL of the time… through His Spirit or His Word (or maybe even through an angel). The problem is that most want an experience like the shepherds had.
I’m not sure you or I would really want that. I mean… look at what happened! They were FRIGHTENED. Some translations say: “terrified.” Perhaps it was only because they were (probably) young men (it was a tough job) that they didn’t stroke-out when the angel appeared!
But something else… they were quiet. Shepherding was a lonely job, even if you had co-shepherds working with you. No town, no crowds, no internet, no TV, no cellphones, no texts, no phone calls, FaceTime, Zoom or emails. Every day I get over 100 emails and many of you get more. A few of those are important, but most aren’t; yet all require a moment of concentration.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
This has got to be the major plight of the 21st century for we who are trying to follow Jesus.
The shepherds were lowly men, hardly the first ones you would think of to receive the announcement of Christ’s birth. But, they were quiet and chosen for the honor of an angelic visit announcing the coming Messiah!
Prayer: LORD, help me to find more time to be still… more time for Your words… more time to spend glorying You. Amen.
Luke 2:8-9
“In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock at night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.”
Have you ever HEARD the LORD talk to you? How about an angel? Have you ever felt that one was near? Have you ever wished you could have listened in as Moses and God talked on the mountain?
As a pastor, I’ve had many people through the years ask me “WHY hasn’t God ever spoken to me?”
I maintain that He HAS and DOES talk to His children ALL of the time… through His Spirit or His Word (or maybe even through an angel). The problem is that most want an experience like the shepherds had.
I’m not sure you or I would really want that. I mean… look at what happened! They were FRIGHTENED. Some translations say: “terrified.” Perhaps it was only because they were (probably) young men (it was a tough job) that they didn’t stroke-out when the angel appeared!
But something else… they were quiet. Shepherding was a lonely job, even if you had co-shepherds working with you. No town, no crowds, no internet, no TV, no cellphones, no texts, no phone calls, FaceTime, Zoom or emails. Every day I get over 100 emails and many of you get more. A few of those are important, but most aren’t; yet all require a moment of concentration.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
This has got to be the major plight of the 21st century for we who are trying to follow Jesus.
The shepherds were lowly men, hardly the first ones you would think of to receive the announcement of Christ’s birth. But, they were quiet and chosen for the honor of an angelic visit announcing the coming Messiah!
Prayer: LORD, help me to find more time to be still… more time for Your words… more time to spend glorying You. Amen.