Many
times during the day when our little grandson is here, we hear the
words, “where are you, Papa?” Or, “where are you, Nana?” This
is an important question for a young child. When this question is
asked, we don't hesitate. We respond quickly!
I
want to ask you that question today. Where are you? You may say I am
at home, or I am on the job. Maybe you are in school or in the
Military. You could even be on vacation, seeing the many beautiful
sights in our world. This is what we think of when the question is
asked. We respond as to where we are physically.
In
Genesis 3, God asks Adam that question, "And the LORD God called
unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?" This is the
response that Adam gave, "And he said, I heard thy voice in the
garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And
he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the
tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" The
answer Adam gives has stuck with us down thru the ages. "And the
man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, SHE gave me of
the tree, and I did eat." It is the transfer of accountability
to someone other than ourselves. We have a very hard time accepting
responsibility for our actions. So, we blame someone else for where
we actually are in our lives.
I
truly understand about disappointment, heartbreak, broken homes,
verbal abuse, lack of security, and unworthy condemnation. But with
all of that, we are still responsible for our reaction to life and
all it brings. We alone are responsible for the choices we make. Adam
could have answered, “NO” to Eve. He could have reminded her of
the command that God gave them about not eating of that one tree.
Only one tree was forbidden. Of course in the next verse, God asked
Eve, "What is this thou has done? And the woman said, The
serpent beguiled me, and I DID eat."
I
do not read any more of God communing with Adam and Eve in the cool of
the day. However, I did read where "...God sent them forth from
the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken, So
he drove out the man;" Genesis chapter 3. There are definitely
consequences to all our decisions!
My
question is Where Are You? Are you living in the garden with constant
communion and fellowship with the LORD your God? Or, do you feel
you're across the tracks just struggling on your own? Are you in a
place of no hope, no relief from the push and shove of this sinful
world? Are you always feeling blame or giving blame to someone you
love because of the pressure that is increasing in your life? Are you
living a life of defeat in the midst of constant confusion as to the
choices your making? Do you stumble at the simple things in life
because you don't know the direction to take? Are you feeling
helpless and hopeless with every decision you need to make for your
very survival? Where Are You?
Some
may feel they are making it just fine. Jesus said in Revelation 3:17,
"Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods and
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" The good news is
found in the fact that SOMEONE has the answer. Someone knows just
where you are and He can rescue you. He can pull you out of the
darkness, the confusion, the helpless situation. You don't have to
remain where you are. The choice is yours and yours alone. No one can
make you look up! Or reach up! Or call out to God but YOU!
When
the loud, wailing sound of disaster strikes, even those who have
pushed God aside, those who have tried to hide their "nakedness"
from him, will cry out. Come and save me, Jesus! He knows just where
you are and will come immediately. He will cover your nakedness with
His robe of righteousness. Where Are You?
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