God Chooses Ordinary People To Deliver His Word
“Now there were in the same county shepherds living out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by night. And behold an angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord…When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they went with hast e and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:8-20
- Ordinary people are chosen to do extra-ordinary things for God. Shepherds were ordinary people.
- Fear or doubt will often come upon those God chooses.
- God is bigger than the circumstances we face from time to time. V13-14
- We must move forward quickly when we receive a word from God or instructions. V15
- God’s Word is true and sure and it will come to pass. V17
- Eventually we may be asked by God to share what He put in our heart. V18
1. These shepherds were the very first New Testament missionaries! And they were ordinary, hard working people. They weren’t Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, or part of the religious elite of the time. They weren’t royalty like King Herod and his family. They weren’t government officials either. Yet God sent an angel to deliver the message of His Son who was born to them! They were simple people, living simple lives. God’s message is not complicated! But the religious and royalty of that day had a different expectation of how and what the whole Messiah event would transpire. So they didn’t believe what took place, even though the prophets wrote about it.
Throughout the Bible we see the shepherds, fishermen, ordinary people being hungry for the Savior. Their life was not complicated or cluttered. Therefore it was easy for them to believe! Think about that in today’s world. Is it relevant? I believe so!
2. Fear or doubt will often come upon those who are called, spoken to by God, or given a special assignment by Him. The angel of the Lord caused the shepherds and Mary to be fearful at first. But he reassured them that his intentions were good and that God sent him. Then they trusted him and the word he brought from God. We too must not be filled with fear if God calls us to do difficult things or brings us a difficult message.
3. God is bigger than our circumstances. A host of angels were praising God, giving Him glory for Christ’s birth. There was a baby born in a lowly manger, in the tiny town of Bethlehem. Not a big deal to the ordinary person. But if we look beyond the circumstances we find the Messiah in that manger. We not only see one angel but a multitude of angels praising God. In our life it often is the same if we look beyond the circumstances…something bigger may be taking place.
4. When we receive a word from the Lord we must move forward quickly – be obedient to the instructions. The shepherds did exactly this. They immediately went to Bethlehem to see what the angels told them. What has God spoken to your heart lately and have you acted upon it?
5. God’s Word is true and sure and it will come to pass. What the angel told the shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and prophets, came to pass…the Messiah was born in Bethlehem to a virgin.
6. At times we may be asked to share what we have witnessed, what has been given to us by God. We may be asked to share what the Holy Spirit places in our heart. The shepherds did and the people marveled at what they heard.
Listing of past Food for Thoughts
