EHP Day 9-Needing God Even More
Genesis 3:9-11
But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
What a curious triad of verses! I wonder if Moses smiled as the Spirit prompted his ancient scribal tool? God not knowing where the man was? Ha! God unaware who had beguiled? Ridiculous! The design behind Divine questions is never to mine for unknown information. Rather, they goad us into required self-assessment, confession, an accountability unto maturity. God’s passionate probing harbors no interest in playing hide-n-seek games. “You desire truth in the inward being,” David realizes (Ps.51:6). “You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
If we sinfully disobey, God comes looking for us every day. He loves us too much to leave us–unbidden, guilt-ridden, alone–at the mercy of sin’s degenerating destruction. Yes, He does give men over to the consequences of chosen evil (cf. Rom.1:24-32), but not without patiently, kindly, daily offering all humans clear, revealed truth coupled with the option of repentant gratefulness (cf. Rom.1:19-21).
Well-watered Eden would too quickly lose its first blessed residents (Gen.1:23). Sin’s consequences (Gen.3:14-19) negatively complicate everything: nature uncooperative (if not dangerous), work difficult, relationships strained, child-birth agonizing, family-life combative, discordant. God’s tree of life inaccessible. Ignoring God a perpetual legacy, daily living a spiritual battle.
More than ever, Adam and Eve, and their children, needed God’s presence and provision. Eve realized her first child came “with the help of the Lord.” In a more-difficult-than-intended world, it is ours to seek His help every day, in every way.
Journal Notes