‘And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” – Luke 2:8-9

Scripture reading: Psalm 103:19-22

Psalm 103:19 reminds us, “The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” He has a vast army of heavenly troops, eager to carry out His commands. We call them angels. “Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers who do his will!” (Psalm 103:20-21).

The LORD often sent angels to deliver messages to His people. In fact, the Hebrew and Greek words for angel mean ‘messenger.’ The LORD often told His people, through angels, what He was going to do next in redemptive history. For example, God told Zechariah, through the angel Gabriel, that his wife would give birth to John, the forerunner of Jesus (Luke 1:5-25). God told Mary, also through the angel Gabriel, that she would miraculously give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).

The Great King now sends an angel to announce the birth of His Son to shepherds in a field. As usual, the glory-of-God radiance of these heavenly warrior-messengers startles and terrifies the shepherds. The shepherds, however, have nothing to fear. God’s warrior has come in grace, not judgment. God’s messenger has come with good news, not bad news.

Today, we don’t expect angels to deliver the gospel to us. “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2a). Thank God, we have access to His life-giving voice in the Scriptures.

Suggestions for prayer

Thank God that He has chosen to reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ to us. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open the hearts of many to believe the gospel and receive Christ as Savior and Lord.

Rev. Richard Zekveld is the pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church (PCA) in South Holland, Illinois, a Chicagoland suburb. Rev. Zekveld, his wife Nancy, and their five children have lived in the community of South Holland for seventeen years. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.