5 January | EVERYONE
"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3: 15
Life hits. It punches us, and it is merciless and ruthless. The years go by, and they leave scars on the soul. Everything grows old and withers. The freshness of the flowers vanishes. The dry leaves are blown away by the wind. It is a painful reality from which no one escapes. Adam and Eve had chosen the path of death, but on that dark afternoon the Creator came to the Garden to make them aware of the evil nature of their sin. He told them that they were dust and to dust they would return.
We are dust. Sand and dust blown by the wind! Dust that does not last! Sand that cannot resist! Woe to those who build their lives in the transience of dust! Woe to those who build their dreams on the instability of the sand! The storm will come sooner or later. The hurricanes of life will blow. Storms of pain will threaten us. This is the painful reality after sin came into the world.
On that gloomy afternoon in Eden, all seemed lost. From a human point of view, perhaps it was. However, eternity already registered the plan of redemption, the mystery of love, and the greatness of mercy. From a woman, a child would be born who would destroy the power of darkness. That promised seed was Jesus. The Savior would come into the world. He would become flesh and walk among human beings. He would be mistreated and humiliated. The enemy, disguised as soldiers, Pharisees, or those who are indifferent, would strike Him in the heel. But with His death and resurrection, Christ would smite the enemy on the head. His wound would be fatal.
Today, our struggle is against a defeated enemy. Do not allow him, in his death throes, to still manage to defeat you. Jesus, born of a woman, came into the world to defeat the devil on the same ground on which Adam and Eve failed and offers us victory. There is nothing that can keep you captive in death’s territory!
Take Action
In prayer, think of someone close to you who seems receptive. Then send him/her a message explaining this first promise of the plan of redemption in your own words. Sing "The First Promise" (if possible, with your family).