GOD HAS ALWAYS PROVIDED
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21, ESV
Theme: God’s grace is shown in His plan to cover all our sin through the blood of Jesus.
FORESHADOWING
How good are you at guessing the plots of movies? You see the wild horse and instantly know either the heroine will be thrown from him and injured, or the hero will break and tame him, riding in for the rescue (from some yet unknown danger). We have learned to look for clues: the tire jack left in the garage as the father tries to pack in all the necessities of a camping trip. Maybe it’s the gun, glimpsed when the teenager when looking for stamps in her father’s drawer; the child’s joy and desire as he stares in the store window, looking at the Christmas gift he is dreaming of receiving.
BLOOD SACRIFICE
Can you guess the plot of the Story that started in Genesis? It’s the greatest story ever told.
The first sacrifice for sin were the animals which God killed to cover the sin of Adam and Eve. He used their skins as clothing, but to get those skins required death and bloodletting. This is not the only occasion of the foreshadowing of the extraordinary cost of sin, but it is the first, coming immediately after God found them--guilty and exposed--in the Garden.
NAKED AND AFRAID
I’ve never seen the show, “Naked and Afraid.” But I have felt as Adam and Eve did, when they were hiding from God in the Garden. I am so grateful that God has chosen not to expose my sin but has removed it. I am so glad that instead of throwing me, embarrassed and ashamed, into the court of public opinion, He has covered my sin with His own Son’s blood and has made me snow white garments so that I am holy in His eyes.
Make It Personal: No matter your sin, God has provided cleansing and covering for it. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, take comfort and peace from that knowledge. Live free and holy, even while still in this sinful human body. Thank God for His wonderful plan of rescue!
If you are still hiding from God, naked and afraid, take courage. He is looking for you, to heal and cover you. His plan to restore you has been in place since before you first sinned, and He loves you very much.
Pray: Father, sometimes I am squeamish about the animals which died to provide food or leather for shoes and coats. How much more horrible to contemplate the sacrifice required of the precious Only Son. I do not understand the plan that required such a cost, but I am grateful. I claim the blood of Jesus to heal me of all my sins and diseases. I gratefully allow You to clothe my shame in Your righteousness. In His Name I pray. Amen.
Read: 1 Peter 1:18-21; Hebrews 10:4, 10- 14; 1 John 5:6; Matthew 26:26-29
Weekly Memory Verse:
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, ESV