“Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him” (Psalm 72:9, NKJV).

It may seem as if the visitation of angels to the shepherds was an afterthought, but it wasn’t! It was prophesied in Psalm 72:9 and intentionally and supernaturally fulfilled by God’s miracle timing and the lack of any other place for Mary and Joseph to go at that time. They had to go to a manger in one particular place.

The angels did not have to tell the shepherds precisely where to go in Bethlehem to find the manger holding Jesus. That’s because there was only one manger where sacrificial lambs were birthed—the cave under the watchtower of Migdal Eder. Located in the northern part of Bethlehem, this watchtower was built to protect the Temple flocks—the sacrificial lambs to be sacrificed at the Temple (Micah 4:8). The shepherds were on watch at the top of the tower. Underneath it, in a cave (not a barn), there was a birthing trough where the ewes could bear lambs under the care of the shepherds. This process was very delicate, and great care was taken because these were to be the best lambs—perfect and without blemish—to be offered as sacrifices. To do this, they were carefully birthed into a manger, lined with soft, clean straw; and wrapped in swaddling clothes to prevent any injury or blemish.

What an amazing picture of symbolism this was, as the greatest Sacrifice of all time was born into the humblest of places. The redemptive plan of God was continuing, planned for and prepared before creation itself (1 Peter 1:20)!

Study

Tune In to God’s Voice
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about’” (Luke 2:15, NIV).

Live the Word

Do you know the still small voice in you? Do you quickly obey the Holy Spirit when He guides you? Are you tuned in to God’s voice? Purpose today that you will listen for God’s voice, you will hear His words to you, and you will obey them quickly (John 10:5, 27; Psalm 119:32).

Speak the Word

I am a friend of God. He speaks clearly to me, exactly what I need and always when I need it. I am not afraid to take any issue or circumstance to Him. I trust that He hears me. He cares about me. And He loves me, today and every day!

Scripture Study: Jeremiah 33:3, NASB; John 15:15; Hebrews 4:16

Apply

When you were born again, God sent His Holy Spirit to live in you and be your Teacher and Trainer to help you live a life that is pleasing to God. That’s why, as Christians, we don’t have to depend on our own limited reasoning. We can live guided by the Spirit who knows all things. In fact, if we listen to Him every day, He’ll steer us clear of hidden dangers and maneuver us safely through even the most complicated situations. How do you let Him steer you?

Walking it out to victory:

• Don’t resist the promptings of the Spirit.
• Trust Him, His Word and His will for you.
• When you sense Him directing you to do something, decide to obey quickly.
• Decide that you will stand firm in God’s will and plan no matter what! (Ephesians 6:13, KJV).

Click on the image below to download the PDF with the devotion and the craft activities related to Shepherds.