Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. BUT the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Genesis 3:8-10
There are so many ways I could go with these verses so I have to quiet my spirit and wait for my Teacher. The question The All Knowing God was asking had nothing to do with their location, but with their condition. So let’s ask it another way because God already knew where they were: “Adam! What condition are you in?”
You see, God had left them in one condition and now disobedience had put them in another. The question then was to emote an honest accounting of what they had done without blame or excuses.
For those of us who are parents, you should get what I’m about to say. My Jamaican is about to come out lol. Nothing pleases a parent more than an honest answer to a simple question. Can I get an Amen! Now God would’ve been an abusive parent to allow disobedience to go without a consequence. I also am a firm believer that a lack of discipline is a form of abuse. I also believe that the entire account of Genesis would’ve ended differently had they just owned up to their willful disobedience to God’s instruction. Eat everything except for ONE thing. Was that so hard? I can see you shaking your heads at the revelation, but we’re guilty of doing the same thing today! The Bible says in James 4:17 ahem...go read it😊
My brothers and sisters! God is not in the business of keeping things from you, He’s always looking for ways to get His best through you and to you! At your last conversation or meeting with God, what
Condition did He leave you in? Will He find you in that same condition? Let me expound a little. He left them “naked” but fully clothed. In His Glory. He came back, they were not only naked(stripped of His glorious covering) but now something else they never knew or experienced had been introduced; SHAME. The gateway to disobedience is paved with shame. You see Satan didn’t give the end of the story, he just made them believe that God was keeping something from them. Be careful of the lies you tell yourself before you walk outside of the will of God.
“ADAM!” Put your name there. “Where are you?” Where are you at this moment spiritually? Have you allowed the enemy of your souls to deceive you into thinking you have to do life by yourself because you can’t trust in a God you cannot see? Or He’s moving too slow? Or I prayed and He didn’t answer? Or the biggest lie ever: God helps those who helps themselves! Stop it!! You are being deceived by the father of lies, the playmaker himself. Get back under your covering! The Bible says every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17)Don’t trade the Glory of God for scraps. You’ve been created for more than scraps. That’s all the devil has to offer, scraps because he owns nothing.
Stay with the One who owns it all and has more than enough to give.
So where are you? Positionally and spiritually in Christ? Are you in and out up and down? Are you a skeptic and a critic? Or have you steadfastly adhered to His Word? Even though Adam blew it, Jesus came and restored it all. So if you’re on the fence, I’d like to invite you in. Into a place unimaginable without faith. For the Bible says in Hebrews 11:6 go read it lol you don’t think I’m going to do all your reading for you...
Dear Heavenly Father
What a privilege we have in Jesus to have been reconciled to you. What an honor it is to be called your sons and daughters even when we blow it at times. You forgive us over and over again. Thank you for grace and mercy, new every morning. Help us to stay in our place in You. The grass always looks greener on the other side, but our disobedience has taught us it’s only crabgrass. Help us to trust Your voice over all the distracting voices in Jesus Name. Amen
Stay clothed! Don’t trade His glorious covering for rags.🙏
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant