Today's Verse: Luke 2:10

Monday, December 24, 1945

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Do not be afraid." That's what the angel of the Lord tells the shepherds as they see him and the glory of the Lord" shining around them. They were terrified because the angel was unexpected, glorious, and overwhelming.
So, what can cast away fear in such a moment of heaven's glorious radiance? The joy of knowing that God has come to earth to end the domination of sin, death, and hell over human existence (Hebrews 2:14-15). God has come himself in Jesus as Immanuel (Matthew 1:23) to end the evil one's curse and bring salvation for all people. Terror must not master our hearts, only holy fear, a deep reverence and awe as we realize that God has broken through every barrier to reach us with his overwhelming grace and presence in Jesus. Yes, we welcome this "news of great joy for all the people," and pledge to share it with the world because the Lord has come!

My Prayer...

We praise you, Almighty God, for the gift of joyous love that chases away all of our fear.* Fill our hearts with your joy and fill our minds with reverent wonder as we lean close to comprehend your love for us. Stir us with greater concern for those who have not heard of your Son's coming, don't understand the power of his love, and have not yet accepted your offer of grace in him. We pray in thanks, joy, and praise for Jesus' coming and his intercession for us as we pray. Amen.

* 1 John 4:18.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

36 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 2:10 — But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, December 24, 1945

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Angels are the unseen attendants of the saints of God; they bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone. Loyalty to their Lord..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, hospitable king, Fill me with brotherly love. Make me a generous provider of hospitality to strangers. Let angels find provision under....."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"[Paul and his companions] went ashore [in Tyre], found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy...."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Disciple, Paul finally arrived in Rome in the concluding chapter of Acts. As you have seen over the last several days of reading, the journey..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.