Full of Praise

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 had told the shepherds to go and see the Christ child. They described the scene in some detail. Then the shepherds went to the manger and discovered what the angels had spoken was true. In high spirits, they praised God, and gave him the credit for the wonder he had done.
    This is what happens when people listen to the details. God’s Spirit has inspired prophets tell his people the Savior would come and where he would be born. Today God’s Word continues to instruct us on how to find the Savior. The Bible promises that when we obey the Lord’s directives, we will glorify the Lord. In other words, we will be as the shepherds. Our mouths will give God the credit for all matters of our lives. We will praise his name for the good things he has done.
    The apostle Peter gives us an example of this kind of language in 1 Peter 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade –  kept in Heaven for you.”     
    See how these words glorify God. Peter credits God for his mercy to give to us new birth so we can live in a new hope of life everlasting.
    Are you such a witness to the world as the shepherds? Do Peter’s words inspire you to consider God’s eternal gift to you? Are you eager to join with others to joyfully thank God for all the ways you have seen him?     Yes, I know that our world is overcome with trials. We could list many evils that confront us each day and disturb the peace in our countries. Do not despair. These evils are the world’s ways. They demonstrate our great need for God. Live in joy your God has come to rescue you into his eternal peace. Live in praise all sin will be gone one day. Rejoice each day with a heart to love God and love others. Be as one who has seen the Savior, knowing in your heart God has given to you “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade –  kept in heaven for you.”
 
Prayer: I praise you Father for your instructions to go and see the Savior. Thank you for your eternal gift to my soul. I will live to glorify and praise your name. In Jesus’ love, amen.