Advent - Day 1
The LORD God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
cursed are you above all livestock
and above all beasts of the field;
on your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
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.”
Genesis 3:14-15
Full Readings: Genesis 3:8-15, Luke 3:23-38
It’s the first day of the first week of Advent. A week of hope. A week to reflect on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
War is a part of history. But history is war. Since the very beginning there has been conflict between Satan and his offspring, against the woman and hers. This war is played out across history.
The war was started by Satan and at many times, the war looks won. In Noah’s time, the whole world has turned to Satan. In Egypt, in Canaan and Babylon, Satan’s kingdom of darkness appears to be ascendant. Yet each time, God prevails, saving His people and striking a blow of light and righteousness.
But this war was always destined to end. God promised it in the garden. One day, an offspring of the woman will come and He will strike the decisive blow. He will crush the head of the serpent even as He Himself will be struck. And so it was with Jesus.
As we look to Christmas, we hope in the one who ends the war. Who will deal with sin, evil and Satan once and for all. And as Jesus says at the end of His work, “It is finished”. He has cut off the head of the snake.
For us today, there is a little poison left in the fangs and Satan has not yet reconciled himself to death. But it is only a matter of time until all his death throes and our struggles are over.
This is why Jesus is good news for our world. He has done it!
For Today:
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is almighty God, powerful to overcome all enemies.
Give thanks for Jesus who wins the war for good, light and love.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others hope in Jesus.
“Because you have done this,
cursed are you above all livestock
and above all beasts of the field;
on your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
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.”
Genesis 3:14-15
Full Readings: Genesis 3:8-15, Luke 3:23-38
It’s the first day of the first week of Advent. A week of hope. A week to reflect on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
War is a part of history. But history is war. Since the very beginning there has been conflict between Satan and his offspring, against the woman and hers. This war is played out across history.
The war was started by Satan and at many times, the war looks won. In Noah’s time, the whole world has turned to Satan. In Egypt, in Canaan and Babylon, Satan’s kingdom of darkness appears to be ascendant. Yet each time, God prevails, saving His people and striking a blow of light and righteousness.
But this war was always destined to end. God promised it in the garden. One day, an offspring of the woman will come and He will strike the decisive blow. He will crush the head of the serpent even as He Himself will be struck. And so it was with Jesus.
As we look to Christmas, we hope in the one who ends the war. Who will deal with sin, evil and Satan once and for all. And as Jesus says at the end of His work, “It is finished”. He has cut off the head of the snake.
For us today, there is a little poison left in the fangs and Satan has not yet reconciled himself to death. But it is only a matter of time until all his death throes and our struggles are over.
This is why Jesus is good news for our world. He has done it!
For Today:
- Do you hate the evil of this world? Do you feel at war with evil?
- Do you trust that Jesus has already won the war?
- Pray that you would look to Jesus for hope in the face of evil.
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is almighty God, powerful to overcome all enemies.
Give thanks for Jesus who wins the war for good, light and love.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others hope in Jesus.
Posted in Advent
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