Today's Verse: Luke 2:8-11 (KJV)

Monday, December 22, 2014

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
— Luke 2:8-11 (KJV)

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Shepherds and the glory of the Lord in the same sentence. Shepherds enjoyed a great heritage in Israel with Abraham, Moses, and David as notable shepherds and God being identified through Psalm 23 as a great shepherd. But by this time in Israelite history, they were not highly regarded. They smelled like sheep. They spent their time with sheep. They were not really clean and religious enough to be considered spiritual. So when God chose to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds with his contingent of angels he makes his point clear: Everyone is loved by God, everyone has access to God, and everyone is desired by God.

My Prayer...

Holy and Almighty God, I confess to you that sometimes the outward appearance and reputation of a person colors the way I treat them. But today, I'm convicted of how much you want everyone to know about your grace in Jesus. Give me a heart to love all people and passion to share your grace with them. In the name of Jesus I pray this. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, December 22, 2014

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Isaiah 53:5
"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Work as if You Are Serving the Lord Christ'
"In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive your....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Deuteronomy 32:5
"What is the secret spot which infallibly betokens the child of God? It were vain presumption to decide this upon our own judgment; but God's word..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Strong in Spirit' (Lk. 1:80)
"And the child [John the Baptizer] grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 2:8-11 (KJV) — And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

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.

More Today's Verse