Advent at Ararat - Day 23: If you believe the Good News, act on it!

“When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sometimes when we feel like we can’t get direction from the Lord, or a word from the Lord, we will find that the reason is that we have not acted on the last word that we heard from Him. Of course, this also includes the general instruction given throughout the word of God. If we have not acted on what God has said in His word, how can we expect any individual or particular word from Him addressing our personal concerns?

I remember that at the end of one of my father’s prayers a couple of years before he passed away, he asked the people, “Do you believe the Lord will do this?” And of course, everyone said, “Yes!” Then he responded, “Act on it! Act on it! Act on it!” You see, there’s the key: if we believe what God has said, then our actions, thoughts, etc., should confirm it.

Indeed, one of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Savior (Isaiah 7:14), came at a time when the Lord had told Ahaz (king of Judah) that he did not need to fear the king of Assyria and the king of Israel who were colluding to come against him. It seems that when the Lord asked him to name any sign that he wanted to show that it would be well with him, he refused to ask for a sign from the Lord. Most likely he was too afraid to believe that the Lord would keep Judah from being destroyed; perhaps he didn’t want a sign that would require an action on his part.

In our opening scripture today we see that the shepherds, having been told about the Good News, immediately went to find the announced Savior. They acted on what they had heard!

We know that the Lord came down that day in Bethlehem all those years ago. Therefore, our life should reflect our belief in Him as our Savior.

Additionally, we are told that our Lord will return again and take us to be with Him. Certainly, our lives ought illustrate that glorious expectation.

For today meditate on the ways in which your life might contradict what you say you believe concerning the word of God. Then, rather than becoming condemned or guilty, repent and ask the Lord to help you align your life with what He has said. As well, ask Him to help you to live a life that illustrates the expectation of His soon return.

Peace to you.

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