And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

⁴ And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

⁵ And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (Revelation 12:2-4 KJV)

This scene occurred in the Garden of Eden when God cursed the serpent and told him that the seed of the woman would bruise his head and he would bruise His heel.

Immediately the serpent retaliated in the spiritual realm to try to devour the child to prevent the fulfillment of the prophetic Word (Genesis 3:15).

Since then there has been enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. The woman’s seed is Jesus Christ and His Church and the serpent’s seed is the third part of the stars or angels he pulled from heaven.

The warfare is ongoing.

The serpent and his fallen angels are still prowling, waiting to devour the dream or the mandate that God has impregnated you with.

So,

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)

Thus, during this holiday season, spend some time reflecting on the past year.

Did you give birth to the purpose that God gave you? Or did the serpent devour it as soon as it was born?

Safeguarding your purpose.

This season is also a new beginning to ensure you give birth to your purpose, dream or destiny.

Allow the Lord to safeguard your purpose until the time of revealing.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.” (Psalms 34:19-20 NKJV)

Sometimes we speak prematurely about the plans that God has for our lives and the devil devours them as soon as the words are out of our mouth.

Therefore, ask the Lord to “set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalms 141:3 NKJV) Because, “he who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.” (Proverbs 13:3 NKJV)

“Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21: 23 NKJV)

When the Lord gives you a revelation don’t be too hasty to deliver it but wait on the Lord.

If you give birth prematurely the dragon will devour your weak child.

Isaiah 52: 12 states, “For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (tricks) of the serpent (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Pray without ceasing!

Fast God’s chosen fast, which is to feed and clothe the poor, to put away ungodliness, to undo the heavy burdens and to release the oppressed.

“Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8 NKJV)

Be strong in the power and might of the Lord knowing that regardless of what the New Year brings “(But) the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV) 

Be confident in the Lord and He will do the things which He ordained in your life (2 Thessalonians 3:4).