Welcome to our special Advent edition of the Daily Devos. Advent means “the arrival.” It is a way to look back and celebrate the Son of God coming to earth to be born as a baby in a manger while we also look forward to His second coming when creation will be redeemed and restored. Through December, we invite you to experience Advent in your own story.

Each week, we will discover a theme or a promise seen in the birth of Jesus that carries us through the “already not yet” as we await the arrival of His eternal Kingdom. This week, join us as we look at the promise of HOPE!

Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Aren’t you thankful for those, “Previously on...” TV intros? Especially back before the days of on-demand streaming when you had to wait a whole week before a new episode dropped. It was a quick recap of last week’s drama to remind us of what happened and bring context to what we were about to see. That’s the purpose of today’s passage.

We can’t truly appreciate the miracle of Christmas until we're reminded of why we needed a Savior in the first place. Adam and Eve had it made until they second-guessed God’s command and disobeyed Him. I feel like Eve must be one of the most hated women in the Bible. As a woman, I look at her and think, “Come on, girl, why’d you have to mess things up for the rest of us?” Satan had both Adam and Eve within his grasp, so, why did he choose Eve?

I recently watched a video of Pastor Keenan Clark sharing his insight on this question. See, Eve wasn’t called “Eve” until right AFTER the fall. Up until that point, Adam was called “Adam,” but Eve was simply called, “the woman.” Satan strategically targeted the one who had no name – no identity; no foundation; no certainty of purpose – because she was more vulnerable.

This is why a strong identity in Jesus matters for us! The enemy's methods have only grown more tempting, and those of us who are most at risk are those who don’t know or understand who God created us to be. I think of Ephesians 3:17; this verse talks about being “rooted and established in love.” That’s the kind of stronghold we need to withstand the enemy’s schemes.

Honestly, my heart breaks when I think about Eve. Even though I don’t think any of the mistakes I’ve made have impacted mankind in such a powerful way, I have still made some big ones, and I’m familiar with the guilt and shame that come each time I fall short. She must have felt that tenfold. Scripture doesn’t tell us whether she and Adam were destined for heaven, but a promise in this chapter reveals that God’s plan for salvation was accessible to them as well. Addressing Satan in verse 15, God says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” God is foreshadowing centuries of conflict between Satan and Jesus, over which Jesus would ultimately triumph!

So, did Adam and Eve trust that their sins would be forgiven? Scholars suggest they did, as they knew God better than anyone. Romans 10:13 clarifies: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Eve probably thought of herself as the chief of sinners. After all, she was the first to do it, and that’s not really an achievement you want your name next to. But failure isn’t final. There is hope on the way, and His name is Jesus.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Do a Google image search for “Mary Consoles Eve,” a colored pencil drawing by Sister Grace Remington, and study it briefly. What feelings does it evoke in you?
  
• Do you have a strong identity in who God made you to be? Refresh your memory on what He says about you: You are forgiven (1 John 1:9). You are accepted (Romans 15:7). You were made with a purpose (Jeremiah 1:5). You are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). You are made in His image (Genesis 1:27).
  
• Prayer: God, today, help me walk in the confidence of who You created me to be. Protect me and my family from the enemy. Thank You for the truth that, because of Your Son, Jesus, my failure isn’t final. Help me extend that same grace to others today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
• Check back on Wednesday for a special Advent Daily Devo video!
• This Advent season, Venture has created tools and resources for you and your family to prepare your hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ. Find podcasts, a family advent calendar, worship music, and more at venturechurch.org/advent.