“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. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” ” (Gen 3:8-9 ESV)
God walked in the Eden paradise, wanting to have relationship with Adam and Eve, but they had hidden themselves when they heard him coming. This is an interesting narrative because it reveals that our God, the Creator is not some sort of cosmic energy or impersonal, indifferent principle. He is a sentient being. It also reveals that the man and woman recognized his sound . . . His footsteps . . . His voice. Perhaps we might picture the Almighty whistling a tune as He went to visit this couple . . . maybe He hummed a melody. I can just imagine that God was happy, anticipating some quality time with his children, but they did not come running to greet him as they usually did. Something was wrong. He began calling out to them, “Where are you?”
Did God know where they were? Yes. Was He surprised by their explanation? Not at all. Is it possible the Heavenly Father was giving them an opportunity to acknowledge their sin and repent? He knew they had rebelled against this instructions, but He came to find to them anyway. He knew they were hiding, but He came to find them just the same. He knew their excuses, but He still wanted to talk with them . . . listen to them.
Adam started it, but we all are guilty of our own sin. That is why God sent Jesus Christ to find us in our lost, sinful condition. He wants to talk with us . . . give us the opportunity to repent. Nothing is hidden from him, yet He loves us and offers his son, Jesus Christ, as a replacement sacrifice for our sins. “. . . And as many as received him, to them He gave the power to become the children of God” (St. John 1:12). Receive him! Trust him today! He wants a relationship with us.
Dear Father, thank you for your personal interest in our lives. Forgive us for hiding from you. Grant every reader the faith to receive and believe in Christ. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in the personal God,