And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

— Genesis 3:15

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

— Isaiah 7:14

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

— Isaiah 9:6-7

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

— Micah 5:2

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

Angel Gabriel was sent by God to carry to Daniel a divine message about His promises to not only Israel people but to all humankind. Old Testament promises clearly point to the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the Anointed One. What an incredible privilege God gave Gabriel to share, Daniel to profess, and us to believe and proclaim these promises. We can join in declaring what all of Scripture heralds: the profound, redeeming, and eternal love of God the Father through God the Son!

Grateful for all God has done and assured of what He will do, believers can live in confident hope as they await Christ’s return. Until then, people who truly love Jesus believe in Him. They follow, worship, and proclaim Him. They live in God’s power now and pray for the day God will fulfill all His promises. Scripture-fueled prayer engages believers in God’s unfolding work. As ambassadors for His kingdom, believers live obediently and expectantly. They call upon God in adoration, thanksgiving, repentance, and petition. May God’s will be accomplished in and through His people to His glory.