Devotion:
Read Genesis 3:21.
My two-year-old grandson stood by me as I moved clothes from the washing machine to the dryer. Closing the dryer door, I turned around to discover the toddler had left my side. A quick search didn’t prove successful and family spread out all over the house to finally discover the stinker with a big grin hiding in the shower. Hiding was a fun game for him. It isn’t a game when Adam and Eve hide from God. After sinning, Adam and Eve feel guilt and embarrassment over their nakedness, so they cover themselves with fig leaves and hide from God. When God confronts them with their sin, the man and woman confess, but also attempt to shift the blame to others. God's curses for their sin are severe and painful to hear. However, out of his abundant mercy and grace God still provides for Adam and Eve, starting with clothing them. After God provides coverings, he takes action to protect the couple. Even though God is disappointed in them and punishes them, he also shows mercy and grace.
We sin, cover, and lie. We hide from each other, from our friends, coworkers, and neighbors, ashamed of what others might think of us. We run from God because we too feel guilty, embarrassed, and unworthy of God’s love and mercy. This picture of God providing for Adam and Eve in their darkest moment is a reminder that he will provide for us also. God knows us, sees us as we are, and comes for us to redeem us. We do not need to hide. Instead we need to be quick to confess and to trust God to forgive us.
Personal Worship Option:
Think today about the picture of Adam and Eve being covered in the skin of an innocent animal as a reminder that Christ shed his blood for our sake so that we could be forgiven of our sin. Thank God that he does not abandon us in our sin. Then confess any sins you have, accept his forgiveness, and move forward serving God by serving others.
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