How did God speak to the shepherds? What can we learn that will help us as we learn to hear from God?
1. God speaks to us where we are.
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby… (Luke 2:8)
2. God speaks to us as we are.
…guarding their flocks of sheep. (Luke 2:8)
3. When God speaks we don’t have to be afraid.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. (Luke 2:9-10)
4. When God speaks He speaks with clarity.
The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. (Luke 2:11-14)
5. God’s speech is an invitation to respond to Him.
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. (Luke 2:15-16)
6. God speaks to us so that our lives may be changed.
After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. (Luke 2:17-20)
