Reuniting With God 

   “When they heard the sound of the Lord God walking about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”  (Gen 3: 8) 

   Imagine walking in the garden in the cool of the evening with God, knowing the perfection of His love and friendship.  This was the relationship we were intended to have with Him.  This was the bond Adam and Eve had with the Lord.  In their sinful pride, they destroyed that closeness.  No longer did they share so intimately with the Lord.

   Nowhere in the Genesis account of the fall of man do I read of Adam or Eve accepting responsibility for their sin.  Adam blamed Eve and she blamed the snake for tricking her.  Neither fell to their knees in sorrow and repentance.

   We need to come closer to God rather than hiding from Him as our first parents did.  We need to recognize our sins, confess them, and seek His forgiveness.  When we approach Him in our sorrow and seek His mercy, it will be given, but we must have the love, the trust, and the courage to come near to Him in this manner.

   God did not abandon Adam and Eve.  Though they were forced to leave the Garden of Eden because of their sin, God still cared for them.  Neither does he abandon us.  He is always with us, urging us to return to Him.  His love is so great that He sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins and open the gates of heaven to those who would believe.

   When we approach God in repentance for our sins, seeking His mercy, we begin to approach the familial bond we are supposed to have with Him.  We can never fully attain that relationship in this life, but we can come always nearer and gain great joy and peace by our efforts. 

Father, my sins pull me from You.

But Your love for me is eternal.

I come to You in sorrow, asking for mercy.

Heal me and make me Yours. 

Amen