The natural state of humanity as birthed in Adam involves headlong flight from God.
"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself... in Adam all die" (Genesis 3:8-10; I Corinthians 15:22).
Left to ourselves, we hide in the trees with our forefather from the only One who can clothe us with redemption and His enlivening presence. Thus, God does not leave us to ourselves. "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10). Indeed, salvation does not involve our search for God, but rather His search for us. "Where art thou?" He cries, not because He does not know where we are, but rather because the question itself awakens us to our lostness apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Our initial response of faith begins relationship with our Heavenly Father as the Holy Spirit births us as a "new man, created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). Ongoing response to the inquiry of the Spirit perpetuates our experience of God's presence in our lives. "I will look for Him" (Isaiah 8:17).
The trees still tempt us with their hiding places. The Spirit of God therefore beckons us by the Word of God to come forth unto the Life of our lives. Countless opportunities throughout our days offer to us the gracious wonder of conscious communion with our Heavenly Father. Remembrance of His presence - "I am with you always" - and the determination to respond - "When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek" - brings us forth from the forest and into the bright sunlight where Life awaits (Matthew 28:20; Psalm 27:8). "Where art thou?..."
"I am here, Lord."
(Acts 9:10)
Weekly Memory Verse
But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)."And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself... in Adam all die" (Genesis 3:8-10; I Corinthians 15:22).
Left to ourselves, we hide in the trees with our forefather from the only One who can clothe us with redemption and His enlivening presence. Thus, God does not leave us to ourselves. "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10). Indeed, salvation does not involve our search for God, but rather His search for us. "Where art thou?" He cries, not because He does not know where we are, but rather because the question itself awakens us to our lostness apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Our initial response of faith begins relationship with our Heavenly Father as the Holy Spirit births us as a "new man, created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24). Ongoing response to the inquiry of the Spirit perpetuates our experience of God's presence in our lives. "I will look for Him" (Isaiah 8:17).
The trees still tempt us with their hiding places. The Spirit of God therefore beckons us by the Word of God to come forth unto the Life of our lives. Countless opportunities throughout our days offer to us the gracious wonder of conscious communion with our Heavenly Father. Remembrance of His presence - "I am with you always" - and the determination to respond - "When Thou saidst, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek" - brings us forth from the forest and into the bright sunlight where Life awaits (Matthew 28:20; Psalm 27:8). "Where art thou?..."
"I am here, Lord."
(Acts 9:10)
Weekly Memory Verse
(Ephesians 2:4-5)
No comments:
Post a Comment