Devotional For Men For The Week Of 01-22-13

He replied, "I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."

Genesis 3:10, NLT

It is almost impossible to imagine what Adam's life was like. He was first and one-of-a-kind: no childhood, no parents, no schooling, no guilt; close contact with God, perfect world, only one rule to follow. Life today is vastly different. Yet we can identify with Adam in many ways. Based on what little we know about him, it isn't unreasonable to surmise that parhaps: (1) he's embarrassed to admit mistakes and wants to avoid confronting his problems; (2) he and his wife often disagree on the way to proceed, and he gives in too easily; (3) his kids get into big trouble, spoiling many dreams for their future; (4) he works harder and gets less done as life goes on; and (5) as an older adult, all his labors have little to show except a small farm and scattered grandchildren. Somehow the verse above captures all the pathos in Adam's life. Awakened conscience smothers the desire for companionship. As much as he longs to be with God, he is ashamed of his disobedience. He has failed. He knew better but didn't act better. His awareness of being naked has much less to do with his physical nudity than it has to do with his guilt. But he reaches the wrong conclusion in thinking that when he can't see God, God can't see him. He thinks he can hide. Our own response to God in this way mirrors Adam's original. But with God, hiding isn't an option. Yet even Adam had hope. His basis for hope has to do with God's grace. Adam and Eve had disobeyed and drifted, but God came looking for them (Genesis 3:8). He knew the details of the disaster that awaited him, but he walked in the garden anyway. Genesis 3:15 offers God's first piece of good news: Satan will be defeated; a Savior will come. That promise gave Adam hope and still lifts us from the pits to the heavens, from "What's the use?" to "Praise the Lord!" When life seems barren and pointless, remember that even Adam had this hope. Jesus has come, salvation is won, and the Bible promises another coming (the Second) at the end of time, when all of our tears will be wiped away. Whenever you're discouraged, remember that. Remember, too, that as he did with Adam, God comes looking for you to correct you where you have erred and restore you to fellowship with him.