Lost and Found
Today’s Verse:
And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? ~Genesis 3:8-9
Almost every business or organization that serves the public has a lost-and-found department. If you lose or misplace a personal item, you will normally go to the lost-and-found department to see if that item was turned in there. When you find out that it was turned in, there is a great delight that you found it safe. This morning, we are considering the first situation in the Bible of someone who was lost and then found. This morning, we are considering the probing question God asked: “Where art thou?”
We see a sinful CONCEALMENT.
“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the fruit from the forbidden tree. As soon as they took that first bite and the fruit started to make its way to their stomach, their eyes were opened and their conscience was awakened. They realized that they had sinned! In shameful guilt, they did not want God to know they had sinned. Instead of waiting for God, we see them running from God. When sin arises in our lives, our sinful proclivity is to run and hide. We want to cover up our sin. We desire to protect our image and not let it be known that something is wrong. Could it be this morning that you are running from God, and trying to conceal a sin that needs to be dealt with?
We see a sorrowful CONCERN.
“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” Adam and Eve were not in their normal place. They were missing. “The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead,” Prov. 21:16. Adam and Eve were not where God used to meet them. They were missing. They wandered out of the way. The voice of the Lord God was calling to them, “Where art thou?” “Where did you go? I came to our usual meeting spot, but you were missing.” Is God’s voice calling to you this morning because you are not at the place where God can meet with you? Where are you in your devotions? Where are you in your prayer life? Where are you in your service for the Lord? Where are you?
We see a sobering CONFRONTATION.
“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?” When we play hide and seek, we cry out, “Come out, come out, wherever you are!” Adam knew the voice of the Lord. He came out to God in guilt, and still tried to conceal his sin. “I was naked; and I hid myself.” Sin reveals us before God! Sin makes us naked and exposed as to what and who we are! Our inclination is to hide it and not deal with it. However, as with Adam, God catches up with us. Let us be reminded that there is nothing that is hid from the eyes of God. God knows all and sees all. It is time to come out from hiding, and be clean with the Lord!
We see the spiritual CONSEQUENCE.
When God finds us in the wrong place for having done the wrong thing, there is a spiritual consequence. With Adam and Eve, their sin brought damnation, sadness, and death to the human race. All sin must be and will be accounted for. No sin can be hidden from the eyes of God. All sin is punishable by God. The wages of sin is death. Remaining in sin leaves us void of power, peace, and purpose. Where art thou?
Are you missing from your place? Has the voice of God been calling out to you? Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.
Have a transparent God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 13-17