"Where Are You?"
Because of one stupid thing that kept Adam from God's face. Because he disobeyed a direct command, "Don't eat that". His thoughtless, reckless actions prevented Adam from living a God-filled life like he had lived since his creation. But could he get back to God? Such a loss was devastating to Adam. And to Eve. Their actions changed not only their relationship with God, but with each other.
Genesis 3:9 "And The LORD God called unto Adam, saying 'Where are you?'
Why do you think God asked Adam where he was? Hadn't he just been walking and talking with him just yesterday? He could see Adam then.
Adam was hiding from God. Why? He did not want God to see him because he had disobeyed God and was trying to avoid being found out. But as soon as he bit into that fruit from the forbidden tree, sin was not only on him, but in him. God could see that Adam's heart was not right.
Why did God want to find Adam? He missed him. They were friends, companions; they spoke daily with each other and wanted to be in each other's company. But now? Now, everything was different. Sin separated Adam from God and they could not do the things they used to do. No more walks in the garden. No more interesting conversations. No more enjoying God's presence.
Because of one stupid thing that kept Adam from God's face. Because he disobeyed a direct command, "Don't eat that". His thoughtless, reckless actions prevented Adam from living a God-filled life like he had lived since his creation. But could he get back to God? Such a loss was devastating to Adam. And to Eve. Their actions changed not only their relationship with God, but with each other.
Do not be judging Adam and Eve's actions. Direct that pointing finger and self-righteous attitude towards the mirror of God's Word and see ourselves revealed as we are. Our unrighteousness, our disobedience to God speaking the same to us. "Where are you?" What have we done that God cannot see us?
We have, like Adam and Eve, put our own selfish desires above what God commands. And, instead of repenting and turning away from those desires, those temptations, we have tried to hide ourselves and failed. God can see our hearts and know that we are not right with Him. He calls to us, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith The LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land: But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of The LORD has spoken it." Isaiah 1:18, 19.
How do we answer God, that we may get back into His presence, and have a relationship with Him the way He desires to be with us? Such love that He is patient and waits for our return. Acts 16:30-31 "...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they spoke to unto him The Word of The LORD, and to all that were in his house." Paul and Silas had been imprisoned for preaching salvation through Jesus Christ; though the prison doors had been opened, they did not escape. Because of their actions, the jailor and his family believed and were baptized, which is a public confession of the faith they now had.
Is this salvation, this path of decision, for everyone? Yes. Romans 10:13 "For whosoever (anyone and everyone) shall call upon The Name of The LORD shall be saved." Joel 2:32 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon The Name of The LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as The LORD has said, and in the remnant whom The LORD shall call."
Now is the time to turn, to return back to God. Delay only makes it harder on us. Now is the time to put God first; to seek His face and have a close relationship with Him. Today is the day we get on our knees, and with humble hearts, confess our sins to Him, ask His forgiveness and turn from our wicked ways. Today is the day we rejoice in our salvation.
Today is the day we answer God's call on our lives. "Where are you?"
