December 26 God Says, “I Love You.”

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
 
THE angels told the shepherds to go and see the Christ child. The angels described the scene in some detail. Then the shepherds went to the manger and saw the scene “just as they had been told.” The shepherds then returned to the fields in high spirits. They saw the Savior, and they glorified God. This means they elevated him to the highest place in their hearts and minds, rejoicing in the wonder he had done.
       That’s what happens when God breaks into the darkness, bids his people to go to the Light, and they go. There are no people on this earth who glorify God more passionately than those whom God rescues from great darkness.
       A young man I know has experienced a powerful transformation in his life as God rescued him from drugs, alcohol and other addictions. He knows he had nothing to do with the rescue. He was near death in the emergency room with an overdose of drugs, and God stepped in to say, “I love you.” For a time he sought God, glorified his name, it seemed, but then old habits returned.
       Again my friend was homeless, cold and without hope. Then one night he saw the light on in a church. He walked into a room, and God held out his hand again and said, “I love you.” The church gave flesh to God’s love. They got him to the place he needed to be to heal, rest and begin anew. Joyfully, his love for Jesus has grown to great proportions. He will tell you and anyone he meets, “I love Jesus.” His life glorifies the God whose favor rescued him.
       We all need that attitude. We all have sinned. We all were dead in our sins, enemies of God; yet, God has come to say, “I love you.” Through his favor of faith on you, you are his, and he is yours. Have you heard the good news that Jesus is born; Jesus is crucified; Jesus has died; Jesus is alive; Jesus is ascended to Heaven? Yes, it is just as you have been told. The God of Heaven and earth, the Everlasting Father is yours.
       Find ways this year to put flesh on God’s love.
      
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that your gospel is true. Thank you for your light to draw me into you. Give me joy to tell all, “I love Jesus.” In his name, amen.