20 Oct, 2008
Imagine the surprise of one neighbor when he was called upon to help rescue this horse, found stuck in a tree in West Virginia!
The neighbor used a chain saw to cut the horse free from the tree - it was a successful rescue . . . the horse is fine!
Picture and story from www.foxnews.com
Peek-A-Boo!
Genesis 3:8-10
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about hiding from God?
Today we get a glimpse of the guilt and shame that Adam and Eve experienced after sinning against God. Their fears of facing God and their shame from sinning against Him led Adam and Eve to hide themselves in the trees and bushes, in hopes that God would not find them there.
I find God's response to be rather strange: But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" As if God, being GOD, didn't know exactly where Adam was! Can't you just picture God walking around the Garden, looking for Adam & Eve? Do you think He could have been giving Adam the opportunity to fess up, show himself, and admit that he'd sinned? Because, afterall, although He was disappointed in their choices, Adam & Eve's actions did not come as a surprise to God . . . even as He "searched" for them, God knew exactly where they were and what they'd done.
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
How many times do you allow the sins in your life keep you from God? When the shame and guilt of your poor decisions creep in, do you find yourself withdrawing from worshiping, or spending time in the Word? Do you find yourself hiding from God and the things that could bring conviction? Or, do you take the opportunities God gives you to come out from hiding, show your face, and admit that you've wronged Him?
- Humble yourself, get down on your knees (or even your face) and pray for God to reveal any sins in your life that have kept you from fellowship with Him - seek forgiveness for any He brings to mind.
- Remember that God desires to be in close relationship with you. Thank Him for loving you, regardless of your poor decisions and for giving you opportunities to be reconciled to Him. He knows exactly where you are and how to meet you there!
How can we connect today's story, God's story, and our story to others?
- Pray for the friends that you know who may be allowing their sins to build walls of fear between them and God and, as a result, are spiritually hiding.
- Look for ways to connect your story with others by sharing how God has freed you from your guilt and shame when you've chosen to confess your struggles to Him.
- February 2012 [5]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [21]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
