Each morning after one of Springtown’s 10 Days of Prayer, Pastor Ryan Watson will share a devotional. Please enjoy, and join us for Prayer on Thursday, February 5, at 7 pm, at the Springtown Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In Genesis 3, we read that when the reality of their disobedience settled upon them, Adam and Eve were ashamed at the discovery of their nakedness (physical and spiritual). Though they attempted to cover their nakedness with sewn-together fig leaves, they still felt a need to hide when they heard God approaching. In this example, we have a description of the effect that sin has on the human race. Rather than having a natural, inborn joy and excitement for the presence of God, we possess something of an instinct to run and hide from Him in much the same way that Adam and Eve tried to hide in the Garden of Eden.
Of course, it isn’t truly possible to hide from God. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there (Psalm 139:7, 8).” God knows exactly where we are even in our gravest sin, and in our deepest darkness. More importantly (and amazingly), He doesn’t leave us to find our way through those circumstances; He comes searching for us.
In the Garden, we hear God calling out to Adam, “Hey, where are you?” It’s an interesting question for an omniscient (all-knowing God) to ask. Obviously, God already knew the answer. But asking the question gave Adam and Eve an opportunity to acknowledge the break in their relationship with Him: “We’re hiding from you.” Recognition of their condition was a necessary step in their reconciliation, which was part of the bigger plan of salvation and (ultimately) re-creation.
So with the entire human race, and with each of us individually, God may ask the question, “Where are you?” in order to help us recognize our condition of separation from Him and to awaken in us a desire for reconciliation. Sometimes, for various reasons, we are unable to recognize our separation from God. Maybe we’re distracted, or busy, or just blind to our situation. Whatever the cause, if we don’t acknowledge the problem, we likely won’t experience a resolution.
In Revelation, God lovingly warns an entire church that they are in a tough spot (Check out Revelation 3:14-22). In truth, they have a poor connection with God that is made worse because they think they are just fine. They are satisfied with the way things are. In truth, they are (much like Adam and Eve) spiritually naked. But somehow they have gotten used to it, and have no shame about their condition (they would be the “blind-to-their-situation” variety). Now, it’s not a hopeless situation. God is still there knocking on their door, pleading with them to recognize that everything isn’t just fine, and asking them to let Him into their hearts again. And the promise is, “If you open the door, I will happily come in to stay.”
Jesus is working endlessly to repair our broken relationship with Him. He seeks after us, He calls out to us, and He invites us into a new and better relationship with Him. While we ourselves are powerless to do anything, He gives us the strength to choose Him and to seek Him in return. Isn’t it amazing that, in spite of our failures and weaknesses, Jesus wants to have a vibrant, daily, never-ending relationship with us. And the hope that we have in Jesus, is that those who say “Yes” will one day be reunited with God, never to be separated again.
“For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” —Jeremiah 24:6, 7
During day one of our Ten Days of Prayer, we claimed this promise (and several others) on behalf of our Springtown church family. May God begin (or continue) that work of giving each of us a new heart that is 100% devoted to Him.
“Where are you?”
We’re here, Lord. Please, come find us!