The Message of Hope
Psalm 39:1-8
The definition of hope, something anticipated in the mind, complete assurance and certitude regarding the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. The Christian’s hope does not arise from individual desires or wishes but from God, who is Himself the believer’s hope. Genuine hope is not dreaming but a firm assurance about things that are unseen and still in the future; “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it” (Romans 8:24-25 – NASB). “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of the things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 – NASB).
The message of hope begins in the Garden of Eden with a judgment, God said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Genesis 3:15).
Genesis 3:15 is the record of a judicial act of God that contains two parts, first, the physical consequences of the rebellion against God by Adam and Eve, “I will put enmity between you and the woman.” This clearly indicates there will be a deep-seated dislike or ill will even to the extent of hatred, or the manifestation of such feeling between those who pursue the righteousness of God and those who pursue the evil and wickedness consistent with Satan.
Why did God put this enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent? The first reason why He put the enmity between the two seeds is to maintain the distinctive character of the godly. The second reason, attempts to combine into a uniform body results in God’s wrath. James asked the question, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
If ever there has been an age when we need to heed the words of James, it is this twenty-first century. The world is slowly taking a prompt place in churches throughout the land. We need to heed what history teaches, when men have attempted to make peace with the world independently of the world converting to faith in God, it has resulted in the wrath of God.
The second part of the judicial act of God clearly indicates the coming of one who will put an end to the enmity, the “seed” of the woman. Who is the seed of the woman who will bruise the head of the serpent? “When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. And she cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb!’ And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy…And Mary said: My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior. For He had regard for the humble state of His bondservant; for behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed” (Luke 1:41-44, 46-48 – NASB).
Speaking to Ahaz, Isaiah told him. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 –NASB).
“Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14-15 –NASB).
What have we to fear? God assures the success of the Promised Seed of the woman. The struggle between the righteous and unrighteous will be won by the people of God, both Jew and Gentile, through the work of the Son that was given to us, the Son of God. He will utterly defeat Satan.
We need to heed the advice John gave to the first century Christians, “Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:7-8 – NASB).
If the master of the godless cannot avoid the condemnation of God upon sin, how can his followers escape?
Although we have the assurance the age-old struggle between the godly and ungodly will end, Satan will have an hour of apparent victory. On the cross, Satan will bruise the heel of Christ. The bruising of the heel refers also to the suffering of the people of God throughout the ages, the affliction of God’s people in Egypt, at the hands of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Romans, and the persecution of believers throughout the church age.
Throughout the ages, Satan has attempted to deliver a deathblow to the Head of the seed of the woman, but all he can do is bruise the heel, the Head is safe in heaven, awaiting the appointed time of His return to earth.
The One that was born of a virgin, in a stable in Bethlehem was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, chastened for our well-being, scourged so that we might be healed.
Through His suffering and death, Jesus Christ provided a way for us to be forgiven and reconciled to God.
The invitation is Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”
