A Stirring up to Seek the Savior

Rev. A.H. Verhoef, St. Catharines, ON

After the singing of the angels had ended, it became quiet in the fields of Ephrata. All those angels went away from the shepherds and returned to their God because their tasks of singing God’s glory on earth and telling the good news of Christ’s birth unto the shepherds had been accomplished. Upon their return the angels again joined the multitudes of ministering spirits in praising the Lord on high.

What about the shepherds? How was it in their heart? Were they taken along as Elijah on a chariot of fire? Did they also ascend into heaven? No, that was not the case although they would surely have desired it. Ah, when the heavens open unto God’s people, it is so good, so blessed, that the outgoings of their heart are unto that glory. Then they desire such sweet communion to continue, even as Peter later said to the Lord on the mount of transfiguration: “Let us make here three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.” However, heaven is reserved for heaven even while God gives, at times, a little foretaste.

The visit of the angel was sweet, indeed, but also short. Israel was given to rest in Elim but soon had to continue the wilderness journey. The Lord led them further So it was with the shepherds. It had again become dark all around them, but was it dark within? Was it in their soul as before the tidings of great joy, brought so surprisingly by the angel? Come, people of God, when the Lord speaks in your heart, it leaves something behind, does it not? It may be assaulted, you may suffer strife, it is true; nevertheless, what God lays as a word in your heart cannot ever be removed. No sorrow can erase the truthfulness of what has taken place.

How was it in the heart of those shepherds? “My soul, with longing stirred, shall hope, whate’er betide me, in His unfailing Word.” They were still sinful men, subject to trouble and affliction, feeble and unworthy in self. However, that Word by God’s Spirit shone light into their heart; even for them it was true: “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Who could ever fathom that wonder? That Word was a deed of God in their heart, and it could not be blotted out.

Hear what they say, for they cannot remain silent. The Lord had given the shepherds faith to listen and faith to believe what they heard. Now the Lord gave even more faith, and they speak. They received good tidings, which was a wonder, but they now express what they still miss, and also that is taught by light from on High. They yearn for the Savior of whom they have heard. They surely know more of the promised Messiah than when they began watching their flock that night, but the Lord stirs up in their soul a desire to follow on to know Him. They desire to have Him revealed unto their heart.

People of God, observe this in the shepherds and examine your heart. Whenever the Lord gives you something, can you then be content and need no more? Can you continue to live upon that provision or is love stirred up? Does the yearning become so strong that you seek the Lord by renewal? Does your heart cry out for Him in whom alone lies all salvation? If you are given to taste a sweet morsel of salvation, a honey-drop of mercy, it delights your soul, but sooner or later you need to eat and drink spiritually by renewal. If you love someone in natural life, you desire to be in his presence. Is it not so experimentally? If the Lord favors you with a Word, oh, then there come courage and a holy boldness to ask for more, and you receive a holy resolution as the shepherds received.

Hear what they exclaim: “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” They exhort each other; they stir up each other, “Let us now go.” No, not one of them must remain behind; they all wish to go, and they all wish the others to go. These shepherds at Christmas were of one accord just as later the disciples were at Pentecost. They have a soul to be saved and long to see that Mediator. They do not say, “Let us go tomorrow.” No, love is stronger than death and all the darkness of the night. The shepherds were drawn by cords of love, and who can ever resist such drawing? “Let us now go.”

What about the sheep? Must the shepherds not watch their flocks by night? Ah, if it would have cost them their entire flock, they would gladly have given all their sheep at this time. However, they are sheep themselves, and they want to see the Shepherd. They had been told they would find Him, so then they should seek Him. Still, the question remains—what about their sheep? The shepherds received trust to commit them all into the hands of the Lord. He is Israel’s Keeper true; He cares for His spiritual sheep. Shall He not protect these natural sheep?

“Let us now go even unto Bethlehem.” Let us break through—break through the darkness, the night, the obstacles, and the opposition. We have heard the message of the angel; that is the Word of the Lord. In that Word is a command, a loving command, a stirring command. Therefore, “Let us now go.” We have been visited by the angel; now we desire to visit the Savior Himself. Oh, He has become their aim.

Is this also your case? Do you know of darkness and distress? Of guilt and misery? Of missing Him whom your soul loveth? Do you also know of a Word from heaven? A tiding brought by a servant of the Lord? A pointing unto Him? That gave joy and hope and expectation. Did it not stir up your longings unto the Savior? Is He not desirable, suitable, precious, all-sufficient? Has He become necessary? Is He not your All and your aim? Learn from the shepherds: “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Let us go to God’s house, let us go to our knees, let us go to the Scriptures.

The shepherds go, not with misgivings, but with holy zeal, joy, and expectation. Before the angel had come, they sighed, “When shall I come Thy gracious face to see?” Now they sing that, too, but it is so different. They have firm hope and ardent love; they go with faith upon the Lord’s own word. He had given them the promise that they would find; He had given them direction. Shall His promise fail? No, the shepherds trust, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

“Let us now go.” They do not reason—am I worthy enough? Do I know my sins enough? Have I sinned too long? Am I uncovered enough? Nothing of this at all. The shepherds did not wash themselves and put on a better coat. They did not try to make themselves worthy. Faith does not reason. Faith in exercise believes. Faith says, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Faith does not doubt how this can be, but faith knows this has come to pass, for the Lord has made it known. Faith goes out of self unto the only and most blessed Redeemer. Faith longs for the Savior and cannot rest short of Him.

Seeking the Savior is a good work, a work pleasing to the Lord. Mary Magdalene was a weeping seeker of the Lord, but soon she received her heart’s desire as Jesus revealed Himself unto her. The Shulamite was a tender seeker in the night, a seeker of Him whom her soul loved. She sought Him and found Him when He let Himself be found. Later, the bride was a seeker by renewal, an ashamed seeker, for she had remained on the bed of slothfulness, but she was stirred up and began to seek. She spoke so highly of Him, yet she missed Him; then, wonder of mercy, her Bridegroom showed Himself again.

Are there now seekers who read this? Are there missing people who are stirred up? Whether it is for the first time or by renewal, that way of missing and being stirred up by the Lord is profitable. The shepherds learned it for their own heart and soul. The Lord says so kindly, “Seek ye Me, and live.” “Seek, and ye shall find.” “Seek ye Jehovah and His power, seek ye His presence every hour.” The shepherds also stir you up: “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” “Come join with me and bless Him all thy days!” Come, let us bow before Him there.

Have you been made a true seeker already? My unconverted friends, beg for this: to be made a missing soul, a seeking soul. It is a blessing to seek the Savior. Ask all God’s people, and they shall testify that it is a great blessing to seek the Savior.

Seekers of the Savior, the shepherds’ words are also meant to encourage you, for seekers shall become finders. It is a far greater blessing still to find the Savior. Make haste, then, and go; you shall find the Babe lying in a manger—you receive that Unspeakable Gift of the Father, it becomes Christmas in your soul, you sink down in adoration, and then you experience, “Whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.”

The Saints’ Blessedness

When God calls a man, He does not repent of it. God does not, as many friends do, love one day and hate another; or as princes who make their subjects favorites and afterwards throw them into prison. This is the blessedness of a saint; his condition admits of no alteration. God’s call is founded upon His decree, and His decree is immutable. Acts of grace cannot be reversed. God blots out His people’s sins but not their names.

— Thomas Watson

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