Author: David Short

Genesis 3:8-9

Then they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden that afternoon, and Adam and his wife hid themselves within the tree in the middle of the garden from the presence of the Lord God. So the Lord God called Adam and said to him, “Adam, where are you?”

Encouraging Words…

This does not sound like the description of a wrathful, judgmental God to me. God knew that Adam and Eve had sinned. He knew that they had fallen out of their created state and were now living in a fallen, broken world. No! He walked in the garden as He did every other day, seeking to be in communion with them. It was Adam and Eve who had chosen to hide from God, just as I do when I know that I have transgressed against my relationship with Him. And yet, He continues to pursue me and seek to commune with me, His child. Thank You Lord Jesus for making this possible.

Genesis 3:7

Then the eyes of the two were opened, and they knew they were naked. So they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Personal Challenge

So, were Adam and Eve blind, and now that they have sinned, been given sight? I don’t think so. Is it not possible that at the beginning of their lives, before they sinned, they walked in the divine light of God and their eyes were not focused on the things of the earth such as their nakedness? When their eyes were opened to the things of this earth they became blind to the divine light of God and mankind has been seeking that again ever since. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, teach me to see as Adam and Eve first saw!

Proverbs 3:11-12

My son, do not despise the instruction of the Lord,
Neither grow weary under His reproof.
For whom the Lord loves He instructs,
And chastises every son He receives.

Encouraging Words

So, why is it that I often feel like my life is under this constant thumb of correction and instruction? You would think that at age 62 it would be slowing down rather than ramping up. Here I am reminded that as an adopted son of God He will ramp up the instruction and reproof in my life. As I draw nearer to Him the more the dross that I have in my life becomes visible and must be eliminated. The pressure is on because He wants me closer to Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Proverbs 1:20-21a

Wisdom sings in the streets;
She moves boldly in the squares.
She preaches on high city walls
And sits at the gates of lords.

Encouraging Words

Wisdom, which the early church fathers equated to Christ, is ever present, at all times and everywhere that we go. Christ was the incarnation of Wisdom and has made this Wisdom available to everyone. Although I can gain more knowledge by reading more and studying more, if I am to gain the Wisdom that I desire through this pursuit of knowledge, I will not find it unless I yield to the only source of Wisdom, Jesus Christ. This means setting my self aside and letting Him take over. Glory be to God!

Genesis 1:5b

…and there was evening and morning, one day.

Encouraging Words

So, why would God, who is eternal and transcends time, make His creation so that it is bound by time? Because He loved His creation so deeply and knew that we would need cycles of work and rest. It is not so important here to get all wrapped up in the argument of whether or not this is one of our 24 hour days or a period of time chosen by God, time-sliced out of eternity. What is important is that God ordered His creation in such a way as to properly prepare it so that mankind, created in His image, could walk there and commune with Him. Glory be to God!

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Personal Challenge

Well, Lord, I guess you are trying to drive home your point. Contrary to what is often thought, there is more to being forgiven of my sins than just saying a prayer. God wants me to be active in bestowing forgiveness toward people who have offended me so that I can receive His forgiveness. How is this possible? If I am holding back on offering forgiveness then I am also choosing to distance myself from God. As this process continues my true requests for forgiveness become less and less, and therefore so does God’s blessing of forgiveness. Definitely something to think about.

Luke 23:34

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Personal Challenge

Here I go again…God throwing down the gauntlet of faith and challenging me on whether or not I truly have given my life to Him and have the desire to be like my Lord and Savior, Jesus. If Jesus, being fully man, could ask His Father to forgive those who had crucified Him, then the expectation of me is that I will forgive those who have offended me or my loved ones. Talk about an “in your face” challenge. A challenge that I must not only accept, but must work through in prayer and fasting in order to practice. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner, and guide me through this process of forgiveness at all times.

Psalm 91:14-16 (90:14-16 LXX)

“For he hoped in Me, and I will deliver him;
I will shelter him, because he knew My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will hear him;
I am with him in affliction,
And I will deliver and glorify him.
With length of days I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Encouraging Words

Even before the beginning of time, God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, knew me and loved me. I can read this passage and replace all of the “him’s” with my name and know that this is all true for me. He is my deliver! He is my salvation! He is my listener! He is my Lord! I can call upon Him and He will always be there. Glory be to God!

Zechariah 8:7-8

Thus says the Lord Almighty: “Behold, I shall deliver My people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. I shall bring them in and settle them in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be to Me a people and I will be to them a God in truth and in righteousness.”

Encouraging Words

When Christ performed His great and wondrous works of sacrifice and redemption on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension into heaven, He sent a shock wave throughout eternity. He set in motion the promise of this prophecy. And now He is reaching out to the people of his creation, as far as the east is from the west and bringing them in as citizens of His new and glorious Jerusalem. Glory be to God!