$0.00
Day 10 Christmas Countdown Devotional: the shepherds–trading in mega-fear for mega-joy
Have you ever been afraid? I mean really afraid. According to the Chapman Survey, the top 10 fears we face are: (1) public speaking, (2) heights, (3) bugs and snakes, (4) needles, (5) claustrophobia, (5) flying, (6) strangers, (7) zombies, (8) darkness, (9) clowns, (10) ghosts.
I think there are more subtle fears than the top 10 that alter our attitude and decisions. Fears like the fear of failure, the fear of what others might think of us, or the fear of being ignored or forgotten. Weâre not alone in struggling with fear. The shepherds at Jesusâ birth were afraid. The Bible says they were filled with great fear.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, âFear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:8-11).
The Greek word behind âgreatâ is the word mega. Mega-things are supersized; from mega-millions to mega-bus to megalodon. Add the prefix mega and things get big, really big. The shepherds were filled with mega fear. But the angel of whom they were afraid, had a message for them. He told them not be afraid for a Savior had been born. This message was to fill them with great (mega) joy. They were to trade in their mega fear for mega joy. This is great lesson for us. We donât overcome mega fear by trying to stir up more courage within ourselves. We overcome mega fear by remembering the great love that Jesus had for us. He came as a baby, died as our Savior and rose as our Lord. The gospel message allows us to trade in mega fear for mega joyâjust like the shepherds.
PHIL MOSER is the author of the Biblical Strategies series, and the developer of 4M Training: a unique approach to spiritual growth for men. All of his resources can be found on amazon or at biblicalstrategies.com.
