"And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide...." (Genesis 24:63)
Yesterday I referred to our text. I was enjoying such an "encounter" this morning in our Lord and was reminded of the "original intent." The passage is found in Genesis 3:8, "And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day," probably early morning. Notice, "....They heard the voice of the Lord God walking...." The word for, "voice," in the text could also be translated, "sound," which indeed some translations use. Could it be as the Lord God was walking, He was also speaking? Remember, "Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, 'Where are you?'" Is there not a longing in this question? Is there not the voice and question of One Who loves us so much, yet found us hiding among the trees? And why were we hiding? We had accepted the enticing lie of Satan, a lie which first cast doubt, then outright rejection of Father's authority and rule in the Earth. What else could we do but, "hide [ourselves] among the trees of the garden"? Oh, so very many on the earth are still attempting this escape.
Now someone may ask, "Why do you say 'we'"? Well, we were there. When our original parents rebelled, the DNA was passed on. Now those who do not surrender their lives to Jesus, find themselves seeking refuge, "among the trees of the garden." Of course, humanity can attempt to run and hide as they, and sow our fig leaves as they, but all to no avail. Jesus will always find us and inquire, "Where are you?" This is God Who, "loves the world."
Yes, we are thankful for being members of His Church, the gathering of ourselves together. But most of our life is spent apart from the Church "gathered." It is in the "alone" times, the times when we are surrounded by those who do not love or follow Jesus, or just feeling as Ephesians 2 says, "....having no hope and without God in the world." Now in our right mind, we may never say or think that, but how many times when the pressure of life is overwhelming us we do feel as such. It is then we need to follow Isaac's example. What a glorious, "eventide," that was.
I encourage you today to remember that His Words to you and me never change and "fail not,' "I am with you always, even to the end of the age....Abide in Me and I in you....I will never, no never leave you nor forsake you.' I am your, "very present help in trouble.'" And, my dear friend in Christ, never forget that what The Word of God said to Abraham, He is saying to you right now, "Do not be afraid, (your name), I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Father, in Jesus ' Name, Thank You. Amen.
Yesterday I referred to our text. I was enjoying such an "encounter" this morning in our Lord and was reminded of the "original intent." The passage is found in Genesis 3:8, "And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day," probably early morning. Notice, "....They heard the voice of the Lord God walking...." The word for, "voice," in the text could also be translated, "sound," which indeed some translations use. Could it be as the Lord God was walking, He was also speaking? Remember, "Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, 'Where are you?'" Is there not a longing in this question? Is there not the voice and question of One Who loves us so much, yet found us hiding among the trees? And why were we hiding? We had accepted the enticing lie of Satan, a lie which first cast doubt, then outright rejection of Father's authority and rule in the Earth. What else could we do but, "hide [ourselves] among the trees of the garden"? Oh, so very many on the earth are still attempting this escape.
Now someone may ask, "Why do you say 'we'"? Well, we were there. When our original parents rebelled, the DNA was passed on. Now those who do not surrender their lives to Jesus, find themselves seeking refuge, "among the trees of the garden." Of course, humanity can attempt to run and hide as they, and sow our fig leaves as they, but all to no avail. Jesus will always find us and inquire, "Where are you?" This is God Who, "loves the world."
Yes, we are thankful for being members of His Church, the gathering of ourselves together. But most of our life is spent apart from the Church "gathered." It is in the "alone" times, the times when we are surrounded by those who do not love or follow Jesus, or just feeling as Ephesians 2 says, "....having no hope and without God in the world." Now in our right mind, we may never say or think that, but how many times when the pressure of life is overwhelming us we do feel as such. It is then we need to follow Isaac's example. What a glorious, "eventide," that was.
I encourage you today to remember that His Words to you and me never change and "fail not,' "I am with you always, even to the end of the age....Abide in Me and I in you....I will never, no never leave you nor forsake you.' I am your, "very present help in trouble.'" And, my dear friend in Christ, never forget that what The Word of God said to Abraham, He is saying to you right now, "Do not be afraid, (your name), I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Father, in Jesus ' Name, Thank You. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
