Go And See For Yourself!

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “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: 15,16, NKJV).

Father in heaven, we come to You in the name of Your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. Please help us, like the shepherds, to go see for ourselves the great things that You are doing that we might be inspired to live for You all the days of our lives. This we ask in the wonderful name of Jesus the Messiah. Amen.

The shepherds are having a mighty busy night. Greeted with the message of the ages:  Christ is born! Sung to by an angelic choir “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to all men!” Now away they go to see for themselves all that they have heard tonight. They do not doubt, but they are not taking anything for granted. Seeing helps believing!

We know that they are not doubting because according to their conversation, they are going to “see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” They believe it. Seeing it will strengthen their faith. Lesson number four:  God will provide us with evidence on which to build our faith!

They wasted no time. They went “with haste.” God had spoken! It is always a good idea to act upon the Word of God. God’s words are life-producing. “He spoke and it was done. He commanded and it stood fast” We have nothing to lose when we act swiftly in obeying the word of God.

When God provided manna for the children of Israel they were not to let it lay on the ground too long. If the sun came up and it was still there it melted. Perhaps many of the blessings that are sent our way are allowed to lay waste. Many dreams are not materialized because we do not act on them with haste. Oftentimes the reason for the delay is that we are afraid to act – What if  it doesn’t work?

Now I am not saying that we should throw caution to the wind. We cannot move with haste on everything we hear. I am talking about when God speaks. It is very important that we recognize whose voice we are listening to. The world is full to overflowing with deceivers. We must spend enough time with God and His word to be able to recognize His voice. And then to be willing to act with haste when He speaks.

I am not sure what would have happened if the shepherds had not gone with haste to see the thing that the Lord had told them. What I do know is that the word of God conforms that when they went they found what they had gone to see:  Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.

Are you listening for a message from God? Rest assured that He will speak. And when He does, and you are sure it is His voice, do not delay. Make haste to go and “see what [He] has made known to [you.]“