LESSONS FROM THE SHEPHERD

Have you ever heard someone saying that he or she has heard the voice of God?

This may be hard to believe at first but it is certainly true that God can speak to each one of us.

Yes, it may be easier to believe that God can speak to “spiritual giants” like Abraham, Moses, and Elijah but to believe that God can speak to normal Christians like you and me may seem close to impossible.

However, if we read the Bible more closely, we will find that God didn’t just speak to mighty, anointed leaders of His people. When God chose to reveal the birth of His Son Jesus Christ on earth, He didn’t just reveal it to the rich, wise men. He also revealed it to poor, lowly, unknown shepherds.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock 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 Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” [Luke 2:8-12]

Isn’t it amazing that God chose these unknown shepherds to be among the first to know of Christ’s birth? Today, God still has messages to speak to the world and He desires that we hear His voice. And if we are humble enough to learn lessons from these shepherds, then hearing God’s voice wouldn’t seem so impossible after all.

LESSONS FROM THE SHEPHERDS

First, God reveals Himself to the humble.

In that time, shepherds were looked down upon by society. They were probably poor and unschooled. They weren’t really known to be noble people. Yet, God chose to tell them the most important news of all time.

Matthew 11:25 says, “…I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.”

The revelations of God were hidden to those who thought highly of themselves but were revealed to those who had a heart of a little child – a heart that is teachable, humble, and ready to accept what the Father will say.

Second, God can speak to us as we are faithfully doing our tasks.

The revelation of Christ’s birth was given while the shepherds were faithfully watching their flocks at night.

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night” [Luke 2:8].

Thus, it takes humility and faithfulness to hear God. 

Also, He is not limited in meeting us only during our personal devotional times but He can speak to us even while we are in the midst of our work.

We may not hear His audible voice but He can impress a Bible passage in our hearts or remind us of a song that will help us get through our busiest moments.

Truly, God can come and speak in occasions that we do not expect. May we be ever so sensitive to the voice of the Lord so that we will be able to receive His revelations even during our day-to-day work.

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THE VOICE OF GOD?

However, what may be even more important than hearing the voice of God is responding to His voice. In this, the shepherds were also found to be faithful.

First key: Respond with haste

The moment the shepherds received the message, their response was immediate, “…Let us NOW go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.” [Luke 2:16]

This tells us that we cannot be negligent or slow to respond when the Lord tells us to do something. Rather, let us move with haste. The kingdom of God is near; harvests can be lost if we delay in responding. May we be like the shepherds who were quick to obey the instructions of God.

Second key: Respond with praise

The shepherds spread the good news of Christ’s birth and upon their return, they worshiped and glorified the Lord.

Luke 2:17-20 says, “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”

“The visitations by God bring forth praise from the deepest parts of our being. And as we live our lives in the light of these experiences that God grants us, how refreshing it is when bringing them to our remembrance it causes us to bring praises to God.” (Bailey)

The shepherds meditated on the words of the angels and they rejoiced upon receiving these truths. Praising God purifies us from doubts and unbelief. It opens up ways for God to bless us with fresh gifts from above.

Let us be a people of praise and rejoicing and we will see how God can bring forth victory in every aspect in our lives.

In Luke 2:13, it says: “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…”

The angels were not just celebrating the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ but they were also celebrating what Jesus will be able to accomplish on earth. They fully knew that there was hope for the fallen human race because Jesus came to save us and establish peace between God and men.

CONCLUSION

When Jesus first came here on earth, He revealed Himself first to humble and obedient people like the shepherds. And when Jesus comes back here soon, will He find Christians with that same humility and faithfulness to whom He will first reveal Himself to?

May the testimony of these shepherds build our faith to believe that God can indeed still speak to us today. Even if we are still starting in our walk with God, we can hear Him if we have the same humble and open hearts as these shepherds.