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Listen while you read: "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"1 (Lyrics) |
The formation of life is surely a miracle beyond comprehension. It begins with a speck so small that it is invisible to the naked eye. Yet it contains a vast treasury of DNA coding: the coding of destiny which determines what the tiny dot will become and pass on.
Now consider the tiny speck conceived in Mary's womb. What else did it contain? It held the coding of an infinite, all-powerful God, all that God is and does, including all God's eternal promises and purposes. Within Mary was the full eternal dimension of God's pledge to humanity. It was a divine code fixed in eternity, a destiny extending far beyond this present existence. It all touched down within a microscopic cell in Mary's womb. Is that not breathtaking?
Furthermore, nothing can alter that divine "DNA" programming. Mary's womb contained an unstoppable force greater than any earthly tsunami, human dictator, or demonic assault. It is entirely controlled by divine sovereignty — our unstoppable God!
Friends, through the Son, we worship a God of destiny. It's a destiny that affects all other destinies — of the human race, nations, individuals, and demonic powers — all through God's judgment and mercy, ratified in the Son.
Simon, the elderly prophet saw it clearly. Holding the Child, he declared:
Luke 2:30-31,34b – My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people. This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many. (NIV)
Mary also expressed it in her song:
Luke 1:52,54b-55a – He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble … remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever. (NIV)
The angel promised it to the virgin, saying, "His kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:33b NIV)
Ancient near-eastern civilizations understood the concept of destiny. They looked to their pagan gods, not to explain what they didn't know (as we often assume), but to fix destinies and to preserve order. Our contemporary society assumes that it has progressed beyond this ancient need for deities, including the God of Scripture. Modern Christianity, to a large extent, is failing to comprehend a God of destiny. And so, people are robbed of hope, with little sense of purpose and meaning for their lives. This loss is plunging countless into self-destructive patterns, and ultimately, a failure to live effectively. In truth, it's a spiritual crisis!
Surely, the promise encoded long ago within that miniscule dot in Mary's womb is still needed. Every human being needs to know God, not merely as an eternal entity, but as a God of destiny in which they themselves can find identity, purpose, order, and security through the love of Christ.
He came with destiny that we may have a destiny. Is this not, essentially, the abundant life destined for His own dear ones?!
Prayer: Lord, may our Christmastime be enriched through knowing the Christ Child more truthfully as the fulfillment of a glorious destiny. Amen.
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A great word, Diane. Have a wonderful Christmas.
A “breathtaking” presentation. Thank you so much. Amen.
The destiny in a dot… How precious! God could do it – and did it. We thank and praise Him…. It was His Son!
Keep writing, Diane.
For Jesus’ sake.
Hi Diane,
Thank you for your devotional this morning. May the lives of many more people be enriched through faith in Christ indeed.
Blessings.
Modern Christianity pushes us forward to a better future! Without judgement. Accepting and loving EVERYONE as Christ did. He loved everyone and encourages us to show the love of Christ through our actions and words. Christ never changed, but times do. I will continue to love everyone and not judge.
Wow! This is an awesome way to start my day – thinking about the power of that infinitesimal ‘dot’. Awesome God! Awesome destiny that He has provided for each person, each one of us. May we receive it (His Presence) with all the Love and Joy and above all Thanksgiving that each morning evokes. God bless.
Hi Diane, nice to receive another devotion from you! This one has really made me stop and ponder on a ‘dot’. I have a library book in the children’s book section of our church library entitled “The Dot”, but it is nowhere near your devotion. As I thought about your message, I realized there are so many places or situations where a ‘dot’ can make a difference, whether it be in art, grammar, or life. Thanks for always making me think!
Wishing you a blessed Christmas, and a Happy, Successful New Year!
Diane, yes many today don’t appreciate the concept of destiny. Among the black communities in the U.S., it’s often preached offering hope to many people of color. As for the remainder of the population, hedonism has sadly gained many followers as the Almighty God was pushed from the forefront of dialogue and regulated to the category of mythology. Now their cherished dollars have lost value and the economy has become fragile. To salve their wounded souls, they’re turning to legal and illegal drugs to plug the hole in the middle of their souls where the wind whistles through. Trouble is, when the effects wear off, despair roars through with devastating consequences. Lost in hopelessness, the suicide rate has climbed, especially among the youth. Without the hope given by belief in an Almighty God who has the best destiny in mind for them, they embrace eternal misery. It’s so very tragic. Thanks for sharing this devotional with us.