Devotion or Fear?

Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10 & 11

I can’t imagine what went through the minds of the shepherds the night Jesus was born. They were ordinary men, going about their ordinary jobs on what they thought was an ordinary day. We all know that in an instant our days can change course. Sometimes for the good and sometimes with sadness. But this day, the change was not only for the good of those that the angels visited but for all mankind! In an instant, the angel of the Lord appeared. They had to have been afraid because the angel acknowledged their fear. What caused them to move past their fear? I believe it was just an ounce of devotion. They had just an ounce more of devotion to their God than they did fear. Their devotion drove them to seek out what the angel was announcing. The birth of a Savior? Could it be? They had to see. They knew something extraordinary had just happened. They had just enough faith to go and see what it was.

The disciples too were just ordinary men, going about their ordinary jobs on what they thought was an ordinary day. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” Matthew 4:19. What made them risk all to follow Jesus? An ounce more of devotion than fear. In an instant, their lives changed forever. What about you? Do you need courage? What has fear gripped a hold of in your life? Do you have an ounce more of devotion and faith than you do fear? Let God help you move forward.

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13