READING: Jonah 1-4, Revelation 12:1-13:10
This is the time of year when we most often speak of the coming of Christ. We rejoice when we consider the truth that God came to us, born of a virgin and destined for His sacrificial death on our behalf. What we don’t think about enough is the fact that the dragon—“the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world” (Rev 12:9)—sought to destroy the Christ child from His birth. God, of course, had announced in the Garden of Eden the coming enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, but the dragon was nonetheless decidedly opposed to God and His work. He was surely behind Herod’s command to kill male children two years old and under—though this dragon-inspired edict did not accomplish what Herod intended.
That same dragon has sought to destroy the church, but he will not be victorious. He and his forces could not prevail against Michael and the angels, and the dragon was thrown down. He knows his time is limited, so he battles hard against a church he will not ultimately defeat.
As Christ-followers, you and I are on the winning side. We are privileged to follow, obey, and love Christ—the baby in Bethlehem.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You for the victory You have already secured.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Slow down enough during this busy holiday season today to thank God for defeating the dragon.
TOMORROW’S READING: Micah 1-7, Nahum 1-3, Revelation 13:11-14:20