(NASB) Luke 2:8-9 “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them…”

Can you imagine being one of those shepherds?  You are doing your duty, guarding sheep in the middle of the night, perhaps going to the campfire to warm your hands from time to time, being alert to any possible predators, softly speaking to the other shepherds from time to time, even laughing quietly at some funny story.

Then SUDDENLY an angel of the Lord appears before you in the bright light of God’s glory.
How would you respond?  Those shepherds “were terribly frightened”.  Some translations use the words: “they were terrified”, “they were sore afraid”.

What other times had an angel of the Lord appeared in the narrative of Luke before this?
Zacharias (See Luke 1:11).  He was doing his priestly duty in the temple, offering incense to the LORD, when suddenly Gabriel stood at the right of the altar of incense.
Mary (See Luke 1:26-28).  The angel came to her.
Each time, the angel said “Do not be afraid”.

Zacharias, Mary and the shepherds – all responded differently to the suddenness of the unexpected.  Zacharias doubted the angel’s message; Mary asked appropriate questions and believed the message, and the shepherds?  They believed and hurried into the city to find the baby in a stable.                         (See Luke 2:15-16)

How do you respond to the unexpected suddenlies in your life which come from God?

Perhaps you respond with doubt and skepticism that God’s words are for you, or have you questioned (with legitimate questions) and believed?

Have you ever responded as the shepherds did?  Believing God’s message and hurrying into the future to see for yourself the validity of God’s words for your life?

 

How will you respond to the Unexpected Suddenlies of God’s message to you?