#MeditationMonday‬ – Out of the abundance of a man’s heart, his mouth speaks.

Hello Dear and Beloved One, hope your week begins well.  May the mercies of Christ see you through this week, today’s #MeditationMonday verse is:

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 (NASB)

Hallelujah! This entire verse is really what Christmas is about. There has been born for us a saviour. He is our good news, our testimony, the solution to our problems. Jesus Christ was born for us and we can’t keep it to ourselves a second longer! To fully understand the magnitude of this testimony, we must look at the entire passage:

Luke 2: 8-20 (NASB, Selected Verses)

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

There are a few points in this passage of scripture that we can take away and meditate upon:

Don’t Let What You See Shake You.

When the angel appeared at first the shepherds were terrified, but the angel calmed them and delivered the great news unto them. Don’t let what you see shake you. It is important to understand that God can turn any scary situation into a chance to bring you good news. Always listen for His calm voice in the storm.

Imagine that the shepherds had chosen to scream and run away even when the Angel told them not to be afraid, they would have missed the news about the birth of our saviour. Listen, don’t shut God out. Always listen for what God is saying. The shepherds were very brave and we must be too. Don’t let the fear of men or circumstances cause you to lose out on receiving great testimonies.

There Will Be A Sign For You; Follow It.

This is why it is important to listen, when God brings your good news/testimony, there will be a sign along with it to show that it is truly yours. You must listen clearly for what God is giving you as a sign, so that you are not misled.

If the shepherds had not listened, they would have gone to just any random baby born in Bethlehem that night but they knew exactly where to go and find the saviour because they followed the Angel’s instructions. You will locate your testimony if you follow God’s instructions.

Let Your Obedience Be Without Delay

After they received the news, the shepherds said to one another: “Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see this thing that happened which the Lord has made known to us“. When you receive the signs to locate your testimony, do not let anything delay your obedience. Go straight to your blessing as quickly and swiftly as you can. The shepherds found Jesus in a hurry, they were quick to locate Mary and her baby and do all that the angel instructed them. Our obedience must always be swift and without delay.

When we receive an instruction from the Lord about something, we should follow it through the best we can. The shepherds were watching over their flock, but God still somehow enabled them to leave what they were doing and obey the Angel’s instructions. Whatever it is God instructs you to do, He  will enable you to do it, don’t let this be a barrier to your obedience.

When You Become Someone’s Good News, Don’t Be Haughty; Treasure It

When the shepherds got to Mary and were telling of all the wonderful things the Angel had told them, people were amazed and wondering but Mary treasured these things. Mary and Joseph were not haughty or prideful. Mary didn’t say “You can’t see my baby” “Don’t look at Him too much” “You must pay some money if you want to see the messiah” etc. No she was humbled, she treasured every word said and thought about them deeply.

It is always an honor to be able to help someone else out, don’t be haughty or prideful about it. Don’t go making difficult demands because you know others need your help and assistance. If you are the God-sent solution to someone’s problem, be so gladly! It is always a privilege to be chosen to help another person out.

Give Praise; For There Has Been Born For You A Saviour

Above all things, GIVE THANKS. Give plenty praise. The shepherds went back glorifying and praising God after their testimony was full. They told nobody of these things till they had obeyed the angel’s instructions and confirmed all that had been told them.

Give thanks when you receive the signs of your good news but glorify and praise God even more when your testimony is confirmed and made full.

---

Even though the angel appeared to them, they were told that their good news would bring great joy to all people; the testimony was not for them alone! that is the true message of Christmas, it is not just for us to keep to ourselves. The good news has a “If you hear it, you gotta share it” policy.

The wonderful news they received so long ago still brings joy to the hearts of men today. We must keep spreading this joy, till all nations and all people know of the glorious birth of their saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

May our christmas be about putting the joy of the gospel into the hearts of mortal men through the help of the Holy Spirit (Amen).

Prayer: Dear Lord, just as the shepherds received good news of great joy for all people, may I also receive a great testimony this christmas that must be shared with all people. May it bring joy to their hearts and lead them unto you even as they hear it. In Jesus name I pray (Amen).

Grace & Peace!