“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” Luke 2:14 (ESV)
The message that the heavenly host passed on to the shepherds, who were out in the darkness tending their flocks by night, is eye opening to say the least.
Basically, the heavenly host declared “good will among people with whom He is pleased!” Wait, that sounds so similar to the words the Father spoke over Jesus at His baptism… “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22)! Jesus hadn’t done anything yet (at least ministry wise), but His Father was pleased with Him. He was delighted in His Son. Likewise, the heavenly host declared that man, that is every male and female on earth, past present and future, was a delight to God, even in the midst of our brokenness, rebellion and sin!
Let’s take it even deeper. Jesus knocks on the door of our heart (Revelation 3:20), not to give us work to do or to fix all the things wrong with us. No, He comes in to “sup” with us, that is, to hang out! That is because He absolutely delights in us! By the way, He says that the only way we bear much fruit is to abide in Him (John 15:4). That is, make it our lifestyle to hang out with Him! Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, I know them and they follow Me” (John 10:27). In other words, as we draw near to Him, He speaks to us in that quiet place and we follow Him wherever He leads. He looks for lovers not workers. He delights in us, even before we do anything!
As you celebrate Christmas today, please understand God absolutely loves you and delights in you. He wants relationship with you, not because of what you can do for Him, or how “good” you’ve been. He wants you to be a recipient of a supernatural love that transcends all human knowledge (Ephesians 3:18-19).
Thank Him for loving you as you are! Ask Him to help you break out of any need to “work for Him” or do more for Him that you might please Him more. Ask Him to show you any and every place where you strive for His love and delight, all when He is simply wanting to pour out His love on you as you come and sup with Him. And Merry Christmas! May you receive His huge blessing today!!!
