Daily Devotional
"She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne."
Revelation 12:5
The arrival of Jesus, the Messiah of God’s Israel, is the fulcrum upon which God’s plan for the restoration of Eden tilts toward realization. He is the center of the biblical epic. Christmas was D-Day of cosmic history.
For thousands of years, Satan had claimed this world as his territory. He is called ‘the god of this world’ and ‘the prince of the power of the air.’ He had succeeded in undermining the fulfillment of God’s original intention for humanity. But he had not thwarted God’s ultimate plan. And now the true King was invading. Of course the dragon fought back. Of course he used every tool at his disposal. But notice what happened: the dragon lunged and snapped, yet the child suffered no harm. For as the dragon lunged, the Lord snatched the child and lifted Him up.
Look at how God protected His Son. In verse 13, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream with urgent instructions. In verse 19, after Herod died, an angel appears again: ‘Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.’ God dispatched angels, directed dreams, and orchestrated every single detail.
The dragon could not stop the child from being born. So he tried to destroy Him after He was born. But he missed. The dragon could not stop the birth, could not kill the child, could not prevent the cross, could not keep Jesus in the tomb. And he cannot stop God’s purposes for your life either. Our adversary is potent, malicious, and relentless. But our Ally is greater. Satan’s rage endures, but the Lord defeats him at every turn.
Today's Challenge
How does knowing that the dragon 'lunged and missed' encourage you when you face spiritual opposition? What areas of your life need the reminder that if Satan could not stop God's purposes for Christ, he cannot stop God's purposes for you?
Prayer
Father, thank You that when the dragon lunged, You snatched Jesus up. Thank You that the enemy's best efforts could not stop Your plan. I confess that I sometimes live as though Satan is more powerful than he is. Remind me today that Christ's coming was D-Day, the decisive invasion that guaranteed ultimate victory. Help me to live in the confidence that if You protected Your Son and accomplished Your plan despite every attack, You are more than able to accomplish Your purposes in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
