July 20, 2021 — The Christmas Story all year long

“You ever have trouble praising and glorifying God,” I asked Stan one morning.

“Certainly did at one point,” he replied, “but not so much any more. I take my cue from the shepherds.”

“Cue from the shepherds?” I responded. “What cue and what shepherds?

“It’s in Luke’s gospel,” he said, “concerning the birth of Jesus. I just love reading about and focusing on the Christmas story, regardless of the time of the year. After the shepherds had gone to see Jesus in the manger, Luke’s gospel records that they went back to where they had been glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”

“So?”

“It’s all about what the shepherd saw and heard,” Stan replied, “and it’s to be the same with me.  If I don’t see and hear anything from or about God, there’s nothing for me to praise or glorify about Him.”

“So,” I said, “keep my spiritual eyes and ears open, is that the point?”

“That’s it,” Stan replied.  “But, with all there is to distract us from seeing and hearing God, it takes consistent focus in order to be able to praise and glorify God after we have seen and heard from Him.”

“No see, no hear, no praise, no glorify,” I commented.

“Truth in a nutshell!” Stan replied with a smile. “Be like the shepherds.”

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Bible verses to consider:

And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Luke 2:20.

But when the multitudes saw this, they were filled with awe, and glorified God. Matthew 9:8.

Prayer:  Thank you, Father, for all you show and tell me about all of the reasons I have to praise and glorify you.  I confess that too often I do not see and and I do not hear what you have for me and, as a result, I do not praise and glorify you.  Please forgive that foolishness. Please help me in following every step of your lead so I hear and see all you have for me that will lead to my praising and glorifying you.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Think on this:  Before we can praise and glorify God we have to see and hear what there is to praise and glorify.  Do you agree with that? Why or why not? Do you have the assurance of salvation for which you praise and glorify God? If no, why? What is standing in the way of accepting by faith the free and gracious gift of life eternally with God when it’s time? If you do have the assurance of salvation, how are you doing in seeing and hearing God and, in turn, praising and glorifying Him on this side of eternity? As well as you would like? As well as God would like? If you sense change is in order, how is that going to happen? Do you want it to happen? Why or why not?