The times that have often felt so very long in the past few months have opened opportunities to focus on God’s word and to reflect on devotions that help with a clear understanding of who God is and who we are. One such devotion focused on Genesis 3:1–15. It is always a surprise when there are “new” reflections and it is always a blessing to reflect on His word. My focus started with v. 7: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were ‘naked’.” THEY KNEW they had done wrong. They were convicted in their inmost being. And then in v. 10, after God had called to the man, “Where are you?”, Adam said, “I heard the sound of you …and I was afraid.” It was because THEY KNEW they had disobeyed that they were afraid. Verse 11 makes me think of the moments when I don’t want to admit I have done wrong and an authority says, “Who told you that you were naked?” THEY KNOW! Satan had deceived them and encouraged them to believe the lie.
Our world today, during the time of this pandemic, would say “Go ahead, go to the store without wearing a mask—no one else is wearing one” or “Go ahead, have a gathering with minimal space between your guests in your home—no one will notice and who will tell?” Yet, WE KNOW! The deceit the world offers becomes an act that only my sinful heart will “know” like:
- I don’t have the disease.
- No one else is using protective attire.
- I can’t stand being separated anymore—it is all about me so let’s get together.
Then, I KNOW, and I feel convicted in my being because I have done wrong, just like Adam and Eve. How easily I follow that worldly idea, and I fall into the deceit—I SIN. It is easy to find excuses, because, just as in Genesis, the snake presents a “believable” image.
Verse 15 offers the promise that I continue to rest on, knowing that Jesus, the Christ, would come and “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Of this promise, I KNOW that Jesus made atonement for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:17).
So I go from the “what harm will come of my action” to I KNOW that I have done wrong to I KNOW that Jesus died and fully paid for my sin, so that now I am free to live my life without fear, and no matter what God has planned, I KNOW that I do not fear death. I walk with Him always.
Linda, Ontario