Wherever we’re at, God can use us. Wherever we’re at, God is working. It doesn’t matter who we are, God can use us. It’s interesting how in the book of Matthew, we read that the wise men – who were Gentiles – were told about Christ’s birth, and in Luke, we read that the shepherds – who were Jewish – were told about Christ’s birth.
Unlike the people of that time period, God didn’t discern between Jews and Gentiles; he viewed all people equally. Praise the Lord that it doesn’t matter who we are, what background we come from, or what our last name is, God can – and does – use each person who is obedient to Him.
In this case, God chose humble shepherds labouring with their flocks. He didn’t go to the rich rulers or predominant families of the day to share the news of the birth of His Son; He chose these ordinary men who were tending their sheep (Luke 2).
These ordinary men tending their sheep provide another lesson we can learn: while we’re waiting, we should work faithfully. Luke 2 tells us that on the same night Jesus was born, “there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” (2:8).
Shepherding is not easy work – working outside in all kinds of unfavourable weather, at all hours of day and night, in the face of many dangers. Shepherding is hard work. These shepherds were not slothful; they were going about their work diligently. These men, whether they knew they were waiting for something or not, worked faithfully.
Can the same be said of us? While we’re waiting on the Lord – for direction, a job, a spouse, a house, a family – are we working diligently where He has placed us? Are we being good stewards of what He’s given us right where we are in this season?
The faithful testimony of the shepherds in Luke 2 brings fresh meaning to Proverbs 22:29, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” God blesses our obedience. In this case, He blessed the shepherds with the opportunity to witness the incarnation of Christ.
The shepherds didn’t dilly-dally in their obedience; rather “they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:16). The late Charles Stanley said that “delayed obedience is disobedience.” We are guilty of disobedience when we put off doing what we know is right because the timing isn’t convenient, or we have “higher” priorities.
Even when it doesn’t make sense, and even when it’s hard, obedience to God is always the best choice. The shepherds were willing to drop everything to go and follow God, and as a result, they got to stand before the King of Kings.
After seeing Mary, Joseph and Jesus, the shepherds spread the news about God’s faithfulness. Imagine having this as part of your testimony!
“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” (Luke 2:17). The shepherds then returned to Mary, Joseph and Jesus, “glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” (Luke 2:20).
Our God, who is faithful, who hears and answers our prayers, who uses the most unlikely of people, who follows His own timetable, and who uses the most unconventional of circumstances, is worthy of glory and praise.
Oh, that we would return to Him and praise Him for His faithfulness this Christmas!
