A Hope Fulfilled - Advent DevotionalSample

Hope is wonderful because it allows us to see beyond the temporary and difficult circumstances that stand in front of us. In Genesis 1 and 2, God creates Adam and Eve and gives them everything they need for a flourishing life. Their lives were not stained with sin, and every aspect of their lives would have been filled with abundant joy. In Genesis 3, the narrative takes a dramatic turn as Adam and Eve follow their own desires rather than obeying God’s directive. As a result, sin and shame enter their lives and it changes the way they interact with God and with each other. Adam blames Eve, Eve blames the serpent, and they hide from God. They were made to have intimacy with their creator, but now there is a divide in this relationship because of their sin. God was holy but they were not. Despair likely set in as suddenly the world looked very different and amid this confusion, a glimmer of hope was provided.

After Adam and Eve sinned, God judged the serpent, the woman, and the man. Amid this judgment, God provided a ray of hope as he declares to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel”. It is interesting that God issues this declaration to the serpent. One wonders if the serpent thought he had permanently ruined God’s creation, and God reminded him that this was not the end of the story. To the contrary, this was the beginning of a story that would involve the offspring of the woman crushing the head of the serpent. Yes, the serpent would wound the offspring of the woman, likely inflicting temporary pain, but the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head, signifying lasting punishment.

Through this sobering account, we are reminded that our sin is not the end of the story. Even as Adam and Eve messed up a good thing, a declaration of hope was given by God to the tempter to remind all parties that God was still in control. Our sin is serious, but His grace is greater. As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Savior, let us remember that the offspring of the woman has come, He took on human flesh, and He has crushed the head and power of Satan. Hope in Christ because God is actively restoring everything that has been lost through the sin of mankind.

Prayer

Father, thank you for our hope in Christ. We confess any sin in our lives, and we ask you to make us clean. Thank you for your grace that covers all our sin. Our hope is in you because you alone are worthy of all our worship.

Joshua Nangle, D.Min., serves as the director of operations and adjunct faculty for the Regent University School of Divinity.