 Saturday: Cast Out, but Never Abandoned
Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till
the ground from whence he was taken.
Genesis 3:23
A precious relationship can be compared with a piece of fine jewelry. Fine
jewelry is crafted with greatest care from the finest materials. It is polished
to capture every sparkle, and when it is finished it is displayed as the
centerpiece. It commands the highest price, and it is kept as a priceless
treasure. Even when it is put away, it is valued and cared for.
A relationship is a beautiful and wondrous thing, too. It is cultivated carefully
from a foundation of love. It is nurtured to embrace every facet, and when
it is seen it captures everyone's attention. It receives our best attention,
and is protected tenderly. When distance intervenes, it is still in the heart
and on the mind.
The most precious relationship that we have is our relationship with God.
It was developed in love and from love. It was nurtured in perfection and
given the central role in all of creation.
When Adam and Eve sinned, they created distance in their relationship with
God. They tried to hide themselves from God, and God sent them out of the
Garden of Eden. Even so, God never abandoned them. He continued to treat
the relationship as a treasure. Adam would have to till the soil for food,
but even that provided an important message. God was telling the people to
work and to live. God never told them that He didn't want to hear from them
any more. They were still loved. They were still precious.
We are created for a relationship with God, too. Sometimes we sin and we
create distance in our relationship. Our unholiness cannot remain in God's
presence, but He never abandons us. He still loves us and seeks our return.
Jesus told us that heaven rejoices when sinners repent. God never forgot
us at all.
If you stumble on your pilgrim journey, don't give up-just get up. God won't
give up on you. He will not abandon you. The love is still there. The love
is still there for you.
O loving God, your love is deeper than I can comprehend. Even though I
disobey you and sin against you, your love is steadfast. No matter how I
hide, you still seek me. No matter where I go, you never abandon me. Thank
you for your infinite love. Teach me to repent from my sin so that heavens
will rejoice, and lead me in your ways so that all the world will glorify
you. In the name of your son, Jesus, Amen.
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