Have any recurring dreams? I do. All my life I've dreamed I could fly. Honest. I've flown over cities, lakes, oceans, mountains, valleys, parks...you name it--100s of times. And each time it's the same: I wake up exhilarated. I love dreaming I can fly.
I've always been a fan of superheroes and super-powered beings. But as you might guess from my recurring dream, the ability to fly is the one power I've always loved most, despite it's lack of glamour.
Of course, can you imagine how odd it would be if the TV, movies, and comics world of superheroes were a reality? Actually, why imagine? Just read about it.In the Book of Genesis, chapter 6 (which was before the Great Flood) the Bible says that “the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them, the children were called Nephilim. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” The CEV uses the phrase "supernatural beings." Half human, half "angel."
Marvel and DC have their heroes: Spiderman, Captain America, Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman. The Greeks have their heroes: Hercules, Odysseus, Jason, and Perseus. And Genesis has the Nephilim. All are greater than mere mortals like you and me. In a world littered with these "heroes," can you imagine anything being out of their reach or ability? Intriguing, huh?
But here's the kicker for all heroes, especially the Nephilim. Even with all of that "supernatural" ability, evil was rampant. There were no real good guys. Wait. Nope. That's wrong. There was one. Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” And if you know the story, you know those old-time heroes perished along with everyone else. But not Noah. The Psalmist said, “For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12, ESV). Favor sounds pretty awesome!
And that's what's makes the message of our second Christmas Angel so fascinating.
Just one month after appearing to Zechariah, Gabriel was commissioned to Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary: “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:26–38).
Now that's good news, but apparently Angels are always a bit unnerving, so Gabriel continued: “Don't be afraid!” he said. “You have found favor with God.” Wow. Favor.
No doubt Mary knew that for Noah, God's favor meant salvation from the flood. But did she know that favor for her would mean salvation for all mankind? Probably not.
Maybe you're in need of a bit of favor, a salvation miracle this Christmas. Debt and financial insecurity, wars and rumors of war, interpersonal conflicts, sickness ... the list of "tangible" dangers and threats is long. But Proverbs tells me that you can find that shielding favor of God if you will only “let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart” (Prov 3:3-4).
That sounds like a sweet deal no matter who you are...and it's bound to be a lot more exhilarating than any super power imaginable.
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands” (Ps 90:17).
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands” (Ps 90:17).
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