Glimmers of Hope
Scripture Reading — Genesis 4:25-5:5
Adam . . . had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.
Adam and Eve must have been devastated when Cain murdered Abel (Genesis 4:8). Nevertheless, they continued to rely on the promise of God.
When Eve had another son, Seth, she said, “God has granted me another child . . .” The word for “child” here also means “offspring,” indicating reliance on the promise God had made (Genesis 3:15). Although we know salvation was a long way off, we can also see a glimmer of hope here, for as Seth grew up and also had children, we read, “At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.”
We see another glimmer of hope where Seth is described as a son of Adam “in his own likeness, in his own image.” This reference echoes the words of Genesis 1:27, indicating that our gracious and faithful God and heavenly Father was renewing humankind.
As we celebrate the coming of Christ at Christmas and long for his coming again to complete the work of restoring God’s world, may we serve our Lord joyfully and call on his name each day. Knowing that God’s Son himself came to live among us to fulfill God’s promise of salvation, we can worship him with all our heart, singing, “O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!”
Dear God, thank you for the hope you give us in the coming of Jesus, our Savior. As we continue to struggle against sin in our lives and in the world, may we faithfully worship and joyfully serve you. Amen.
About the author — John Van Schepen
Dr. John Van Schepen is a retired pastor who served churches in Washington, Wisconsin, Indiana, Oregon and California. He and his wife, Willie, have been blessed with five children and several grandchildren.
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