Warriors Arise: December 24, 2020
I wonder what it was like for Mary, the day before she gave birth to Jesus? Did she and Joseph still have a few miles to go? Where they already in the stable in Bethlehem? There was no room in anyone's house for them and all the inns were full because of so many travelers from out of town. Had Mary been having contractions for a few days? Were her ankles swelling?
Having five beautiful babies, I was never in a rush for the baby to be delivered. It wasn't because of the pain of delivery but my daily schedule would totally change once the new baby arrived. Sleep was definitely easier while they were still inside my tummy than when I was up every 2 1/2 hours nursing them. There were a couple of pregnancies where Scott would have to give me a push so I could roll over. But that was nothing compared to the responsibilities and pressure after they were born.
The continual questions:
Is my baby eating enough?
Is my baby sleeping well?
Am I spending enough time with my baby?
When do I start the baby exercises?
How firm to I pull on the dried up umbilical cord when I am swabbing it with a Q-tip?
Do I lay them on their tummy, side or back? (which "experts" changed every time I had a baby)
What I am eating that might be effecting the baby's milk?
When the does the "5 second rule" start applying if something hits the floor?
The constant barrage of doubt: "I don't know if I can do this."
How do I get a nap when the only time I can get my other responsibilities finished is when the baby is napping?
There was so much responsibility after the baby was born. I was good with each one growing as long as they were inside the womb. I wonder what Mary's day before was like? I am not convinced they were running into Bethlehem with Mary in the final phase of delivery.
Luke 2:3-7 (NASB) 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
It does make for a good movie, but I am not sure that is how it happened. They were still in a stable, there was no room for them because of all the people traveling to Bethlehem for the census. They also did wrap Jesus in clothes and laid Him in a manger. Honestly, it might have been quieter in the stable than in people's houses who were crammed full of visitors and strangers. Think of past Christmases when ALL the family comes home to visit. People sleep anywhere they can grab a piece of floor, tossing a coin for who gets the bed, and thankful you have a pillow and blanket. People are packed from one end of the house to the other. Everyone is talking, laughing, television being turned louder and louder each day and some spats depending on how many days you are living in those conditions. People are wanted their own space and their own bed.
The animals in the stable were used to squishing into places and settling down. Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus might have had the best place for a baby to be. I bet Jesus got more uninterrupted naps than if they had been in a people packed house of strangers. For the most part animals are pretty quiet. They also provide warmth. Even in that situation, God knew what He was doing. His son needed to be protected.
In a house full of people someone would have known about Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. They would have heard about the prophecy Simeon and Anna gave over baby Jesus. So when Herod sent his men to kill all the baby boys under the age of two, someone would have told where to find the one they were looking for.
I know things are looking rough right now. We come together on Warrior Arise to pray for our country, jobs for people, and the coronavirus to go. We have prayed for each one and many other areas where the enemy has attacked God's people. Even in this situation, God knows what He is doing. He had Joseph and Mary in a safe place. They would be protected and His greatest gift would arrive soon. Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior of the world was about to make His appearance.
I hope you are looking to God with great anticipation of how God is going to provide exactly what we need. The people of the world needed a Savior and God sent His Son, His heartbeat. God sees the mess the enemy has caused. The hurts for us just like He hurt for the Jews, Joseph and Mary. He doesn't control us so he couldn't stop what Herod was doing. However, He could counteract Herod's devious plan. God protected Joseph and Mary. He kept them hidden. If they had not been hidden, Herod would have sent the guards to find Joseph, Mary and their child, Jesus. But no one knew because Jesus was born in a stable, away from the crowds, on-lookers, and nosey people. What happened the day before Jesus was born? God protected Joseph, Mary and His Son.
Father, the day before Jesus was born, You protected them. In the midst of chaos, You knew exactly what to do. You sustained them and provided for them. Yo provided a safe, warm and fairly quiet place. They could talk in peace without interruptions. They could discuss what Simeon and Anna had said without having ears around that wanted to be tickled with tales. We look to You in the midst of our chaos. I pray You would come and invade our homes with Your presence. Thank You for providing during this pandemic. Thank You for making sure we could pay our bills and feed our kids. Thank You for protecting each one from the coronavirus. We have lost but we know our loss is Your gain. Coronavirus or not, there have been many who have gone to be with You. I ask for those here to be wrapped in Your love and receive Your peace in every fiber of their being. I pray You would speak to each one and reveal to them their new purpose, the plan You have for them. I pray for You to reveal the enemy and expose the lies he is spewing. I ask for You to make the crooked places straight. I pray for minds to be touched by Your Word. I ask for a realignment of our minds. I pray we would seek You for the truth and walk in it. I pray we would no longer we manipulated by lies. I pray for the American people to desire to know You and the truth. We are captives of the lies, imprisoned because we will not look for the truth. I ask for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done because You know how to protect us, provide for us and lead us to fulling the purpose You have for our live. Come and make a way when there seems to be no way in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
My hope is for Believers in Jesus Christ to join together each day to pray, to push back the enemy as we release God’s power here on earth against the coronavirus, riots, and lies. The prayers will be listed each day as Warriors Arise. I will put a date with it so we can keep them straight. If you have any questions please feel free to make a comment or private message me. If you would like this to come to your email directly please go to verideehand.com and subscribe.
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