Your Daily Devotional for December 22, 2007

 

December 22,  2007

 

 

They Saw!

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child."

 

Luke 2:17

 

 

Have you ever asked yourself, Why is it so hard for me to tell others of my faith? I believe in God, and I want to do His will, but why is sharing my faith unnatural?

 

The answers to these questions are found in shepherds. In a survey, nearly a third of those questioned stated, that of all the persons mentioned in the Christmas story, they identified the most with the shepherds. They were your average, ordinary, everyday working people who were invited to see the birth of the King of kings!

 

After seeing baby Jesus, the shepherds went back to tend their sheep. They went back to their routines, but they were forever changed. What was it that provoked the shepherds to change? What was it that caused them to make "known abroad the saying which was told them"? The answer is found in Luke 2:17. The shepherds "had seen." Their seeing provoked their sharing of the faith. Had seen means, "to perceive with the eyes, discern, discover; to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything, to have regard for one, cherish."

 

The shepherds did not glance at the manger without purposeful observation. The shepherds took time to consider all that they were seeing on that very special night. They saw the angel appear to them. They saw the heavenly hosts praising God. They saw the babe lying in a manger just as the angel said. They saw God incarnated and looking like any other newborn infant. They saw that this night revealed special events that only meant God was once again at work in Israel after so many years of silence. They saw!

 

After a magnificent happening, these shepherds went back to their usual way of life, and they also went back and made known—told others—about the birth of the Saviour. It came natural to them because they first took time to see. When you genuinely see a soul tattered and torn, and you watch as God's Word comforts, and molds that soul into a beautiful image of His Son, you will be more provoked to tell others of Christ. When you watch a single mom balance all of her responsibilities while nurturing her children in the admonition of the Lord, you are seeing God's grace at work.

 

Even in the midst of a busy holiday season, make it a point to sit down and see how God is working in your life, in the life of your family, your church, and your work. Allow God's working to motivate you to share your faith—to make known abroad the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

Daily Bible Reading

Micah 6-7 • Revelation 13

---

================================================
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
================================================
Manage your online subscriptions at
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-login.aspx

To Unsubscribe from this list please follow this link
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-unsubscribe.aspx?s=4159&l=1