Genesis 3:9 - Not Religion but Relationship.
Genesis 3:9 (NKJV) Then the LORD God called
to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
COMMENTARY PEARL
If you were meeting friends somewhere but
had to call them because you were lost, the
first question they would ask is, Where are
you? Before they can tell you how to get there,
they need to know where you are.
God asked that very question of Adam in
the Garden of Eden. After Adam ate from the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil, sin entered
the world. So he was hiding.
The Lord came walking through the garden
in the cool of the day, and He called out to
Adam, Where are you? (Genesis 3:9 NKJV).
Now, do you think the Lord knew where
Adam was? Of course, He did. God knows everything
about us. We cant hide anything from Him.
In effect, God was saying, Well, Adam,
you ate of the forbidden fruit. How did that go?
Are you happy with the way things turned
out?
I think the Lord could ask the same of us
today: Where are you? How is your life going? Is
this the way you hoped it would turn out? Are you
wondering if youve missed the whole point of what
life is all about?
God loves you. He has a plan for you, and
theres hope for your future. But theres a big
difference between religion and a relationship with
Jesus Christ.
It isnt rules and regulations; its
real freedom from the power of sin. It isnt
religion; its a relationship with Christ Himself.
Being a Christian is asking Christ to
come and live inside of you. The Bible says,
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the
right to become children of God, to those who
believe in His name (John 1:12 NKJV).
Only you can do this. No one can do it
for you. The way you become a child of God is by
receiving Christ into your life. [Greg Laurie from
Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
I had never thought of it this way
before: God was out on His daily walk in the cool of
the day. He must enjoy walking too! Did you know
that walking is one of the best exercises
possible? It doesn't require any expensive equipment
or health club memberships. Weight bearing, it
involves all the muscle groups and is relatively easy
on the joints. If you make it a brisk walk that
is long and frequent enough, it can aid your
fitness, strength, and mood. You will also improve
your blood chemistry (such as cholesterol and
sugar) and help manage your weight. Taking a brisk
walk every day is just a good habit to develop.
Be sure to have good walking shoes that
fit well and give good support and shock
protection. Dress in loose-fitting clothes appropriate
to the weather and layered so that, as you warm
up during the walk or chill because of turning
into the wind, you can make the appropriate
adjustments and stay comfortable. It helps if you start
slowly every day to warm up, stop and stretch the
warmed muscles, and then cool down slowly with some
more stretching. In addition to a regular time to
walk, having a walking partner will keep you
accountable to the routine, but more important, you can
deepen a friendship as you improve your level of
health. I do believe Enoch had the best of all
walking partners (Gen. 5:22).
My wife and I have developed the habit of
walking and talking and have been at it for years,
so we can recommend it from personal
experience. Our walk time is one of our favorite
occasions to communicate deeply on a wide variety of
topics. We do it rain or shine, wind or snow. Even
on ice, though you do need special equipment,
and the risk of falls increases.
Walking with God is a rich metaphor for a
relationship with God. Enoch and Noah walked with God. I
wonder where the line between metaphor and reality
blurs? Did they actually walk together shoulder to
shoulder? David and Hezekiah walked in God's ways.
Many of the bad kings walked in the ways of
Jeroboam or Ahab, both models of a wicked king. Good
kings walked in the ways of David, Asa, or
Jehosophat, models of good kings. Walking after other
gods, walking according to the dictates of their
own heart, or even walking by human precepts are
the opposite of walking in God's laws or in His
statutes. Walking in peace and equity suggests
agreement. In another blurring of the metaphor, Amos
asks if it is even possible for two to walk
together unless they agree (Amos 3:3).
Lord, do You still walk in the cool of
the day? May I walk with You today? [God of
Wonders by David Steen]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Hide-and-seek can be a fun children's
game, but in real life, our efforts to run and
hide from Jesus can be tragic. Imagine, if when
our Lord walked into the garden and discovered
that Adam and Eve were missing, He simply left
them to their choices, their sin, their knowledge
of evil, and all of the consequences.
Thankfully, He called to them. He kept pursuing,
initiating a relationship.
Jesus's life was the ultimate act of
searching out and restoring the relationship between
humanity and God. Yet even today, I find myself
hiding from Him. Early in the morning, the pages of
my Bible call to me. Yet I hide myself in
distractions. I turn on the radio or television, boot up
my computer, listen to other voices. As much as
I long to know Jesus and be known by Him, my
sinful nature would rather drown Him out.
In the cool of the evening, the struggles
of the day swirl through my head. Jesus invites
me in to conversation, to prayer time that will
deepen our relationship. Instead I turn first to a
friend or family member. Or I research the problem.
I might gather advice from experts but hold
back from laying my troubles at Jesus's feet.
Today when Jesus calls, "Where are you?"
darkness or dullness in our hearts may urge us to
hide from His light. Instead, let's answer His
call. Let's pour out our confession, our need, our
praise - and trust in His steadfast love. by Sharon
Hinck
Faith Step: Play a game of hide-and-seek.
Thank Jesus that when we try to hide from Him, He
continues to find us and draws us into a relationship
with Him. [Mornings With Jesus 2018 Devotional by
Guideposts and Zondervan]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
In closeness to Me, you are safe. In the
intimacy of My Presence, you are energized. No matter
where you are in the world, you know you belong
when you sense My nearness. Ever since the Fall,
man has experienced a gaping emptiness that only
My Presence can fill. I designed you for close
communication with your Creator. How I enjoyed walking in
the garden with Adam and Eve before the evil one
deceived them!
When you commune with Me in the garden of
your heart, both you and I are blessed. This is
My way of living in the world - through you!
Together we will push back the darkness, for I am the
Light of the world. (Psalm 32:7; Genesis 3:8-9;
John 8:12) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
John 1:12 - The Born Again Experience!!!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160319-1550.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
