“How will this be?” asked Mary after she was told the Christ would live in her. “I am a virgin! How can a virgin have a baby?” “Nothing is impossible with God,” the angel replied.
For a time, the salvation of the world hinged on a young Jewish girl bearing the Son of promise. The book of Revelation shows the strategy of the devil as he saw his coming destruction. “The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour the child the moment he was born.” (see Rev 12) Though God’s plan was not thwarted, we see there were spiritual battles beyond the earthly realm.
“How will this be?” we ask as the mystery of God is revealed through the hands of the apostles: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”(Col. 1:27) “I am a sinner! How can the Holy One dwell in me?” “Nothing is impossible with God,” we must be reminded. The birth of Christ had less to do with Mary’s role than it did with the Holy Spirit’s. “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said” was the greatest response Mary could give. So it is with us.
“I do not claim to understand, Lord, but I believe you have come to live in my heart. I die… You live… is this Your plan? Let me have Mary’s heart to believe you are able. Let me have Mary’s heart to surrender myself as Your servant. Let me have Your promise that as the devil tries to destroy what You are doing, You will complete what You have begun. May it be unto me as You will.”
The defeated dragon despises the Seed of the Son. He could not succeed against the Anointed One so he concentrates on His offspring. His time is short, so his tactics are ruthless. “Do not let the Seed take root. Choke out… dry up… steal, kill, destroy the Word.” Such are the instructions the devil gives his servants.
But we say, “The Lord is my strength, I shall not fear. It is not by my might nor by my power, but by His Spirit that I will be victorious. If He does not live in me, I can do nothing… but if He does live in me, there will be fruit. I will abide in Him… I will trust in Him… I will hope in Him… and I will be more than a conqueror. For no hardship or trouble or persecution or sickness or demon or anything else in all creation will be able separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for continued prayers for my friend, Joe. He has had a turn for the better the past couple of days. God hears the prayers of His children!