The Daily Devotional for Tuesday, November 7, 2023: The Pursuit of a Loving God

 

The Daily Devotional
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

The Pursuit of a Loving God

But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9 (NIV)

"Tomorrow will bring flight for the little wrens!" Cari's heart swelled with joy at the thought. The cozy family of birds had made a home in the hanging basket adorning her front porch, and she had become their silent guardian. Day by day, she had observed their growth, documenting each precious moment as the mother wren tirelessly supplied her brood with nourishment.

At dawn's first light, Cari rose with a sense of anticipation, eager to witness the fledglings spread their wings. Gently, she parted the verdant curtain that shielded the wrens' sanctuary, expecting a flurry of life. But there, amidst the twigs and feathers, a serpent's cold gaze met her own. It had conquered the sheer ascent, creeping into the warmth of the nest, leaving silence where there once was song.

Stricken with grief and a searing sense of injustice, Cari reached out to a friend for help with the intruder. The serpent was soon taken away, but the silence it left behind weighed heavily in the air, a stark reminder of nature's indiscriminate will.

Scripture recounts the tale of a different serpent, one whose wake was marked by spiritual ruin. In the lushness of Eden, this serpent beguiled Eve, casting doubt on the very command of God regarding the forbidden tree: “You will not surely die,” he hissed in deceit, “for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4–5).

In the heart of Eden, beneath the branches of knowledge, humanity encountered its first crossroads. A serpent spoke, a falsehood woven with truth, and the world held its breath. The events in these verses set a precedent for the human journey: a choice between trusting God or succumbing to temptation. And yet, even when the latter prevails, Genesis 3:9 reveals a God who still seeks out His creation with a heartrending invitation.

God’s question to Adam and Eve is not one of geographical inquiry but one of relational pursuit. He, the omniscient Creator, knows exactly where they are. Yet, He calls out to them, giving voice to the heartache and longing of a Father who yearns for His children. This is the essence of God's character—relentlessly seeking, loving, and desiring to restore what has been broken.

1. God's Initiative in Restoration
Even as Adam and Eve hid, clothed in their newfound shame, God took the first step. He could have waited for them to come to Him, but instead, He sought them out. This mirrors the way God works in our lives; He takes the initiative to mend the relationship, even when we are hiding in our shame and sin.

2. The Voice that Calls Out to Us
Throughout Scripture, God's voice pierces through the darkness. To Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, His voice carried guidance and promise. To us, it resonates through the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. In our daily lives, through the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures, God continues to call out to us, inviting us to step out of our hiding places and into His light.

3. The Question that Reveals Our State
"Where are you?" is a question that prompts self-examination. It's a call to recognize our current state—perhaps one of spiritual avoidance or disobedience—and to understand our need for God's presence and guidance. This question is not meant to shame, but to awaken us to the reality of our distance from Him and the path back to intimacy.

4. The Love that Covers Sin
God's pursuit of Adam and Eve did not end with exposure; it led to a promise of redemption and the provision of a covering for their nakedness. This foreshadows the ultimate covering of sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, a testament to the lengths God will go to in order to redeem those He loves.

Conclusion:
Today, God's question remains as relevant as ever. "Where are you?" He calls to each of us, inviting us to abandon our fruitless hiding and step into a relationship with Him. In a world rife with distractions and detours, this divine inquiry is a call home.

As we meditate on Genesis 3:9, let us consider where we stand. Are we hiding in shame, clothed in makeshift garments of self-righteousness? Or are we moving towards the voice of our Creator, ready to be found and clothed in His righteousness?

In this devotional moment, may we respond to God's loving pursuit. Let us come out of our shadows with a humble heart, saying, "Here I am, Lord," and rest in the peace of His presence. For in God’s redemptive plan, revealed in Christ Jesus, we find our true hiding place—one of hope, healing, and the promise of an eternal home.