Weekly Devotional 2-14-22 God’s Immeasurable Love
We are all familiar with Moses’ account of creation, that God created man in His own image and likeness in order to have a familial relationship with them. This was not possible with any other of His creation. He designed that man would love and worship Him. Moses also wrote of another entity, Satan who in pride had attempted to rise above the throne of God and be like God (Isaiah 14:14). The Prophet Ezekiel was caused to write of him “14 You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. 15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:14-15). This rebellious fallen angel had come to be against God wanting that which was only worthy of God. Once, the highest of the angel realm, Lucifer (His former name) was cast out of the government (my words) and being an observer of God’s creation, with intense jealousy, hated God and man.
In the Garden in which God had placed Adam and Eve Satan approached them suggesting that they could be like God if they would experiment with that which had been forbidden. We know the story; Eve took of that which was forbidden and gave the same to Adam and he partook of it also. Immediately their eyes were opened, and they lost the innocence in which they were created. They immediately sensed guilt and separation from God. Their only interest had been their love for and worship of Him but immediately upon taking of that which was forbidden they feared God and their focus shifted from Him to themselves. Both Adam and Eve became persons of self-interest (self-worth) and became judge-mental of one another. Adam had thanked God for Eve but now he blamed God for giving her to him. When questioned by God of why they were hiding from Him Adam said, “The woman you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree (the forbidden fruit) and I ate.”
Satan knew that if they succumbed to his suggestion, the spiritual connection they had with God would be lost, for he knew that God had told Adam, “in the day that you disobey Me and take of the forbidden fruit you will die” (Genesis 2:17). They died spiritually toward God that very day and the process of physical death commenced. This spiritual and eventual physical death was passed from Adam to all his offspring, by extension to all of humanity (See Romans 5:12-14). This is a very sad commentary on man but long before creation God made provision that man could be spiritually restored. See Revelation 13:8b In that passage a reference is made to a Lamb who was slain, and John the Baptist identifies that Lamb as being Jesus Christ (John 1:29). Another John, the apostle John, wrote of Him “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…..14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3…. 14). In essence these three passages (Revelation 13:8b; John 1:29, John 1:1-3; 14) tells us that Jesus (God in human flesh) sacrificed Himself in order that man could be restored to his original state, the state of innocence. By His sacrifice, the separation between God and man has been overcome and man is once again able to love, worship, and glorify God as intended. However, this is not automatic, man must respond to God by trusting in Jesus as their Savior and committing to Him as their Lord. The old nature of man fights against such trust and commitment, but God wins the battle for those who, when stirred by the Holy Spirit, will seek Him. Personally, I have fought this fight, but thanks be to God He has won the victory for me. This can be your experience also. Spend some time in His word, the Bible and He will speak to you through it.
Blessings
Steve
Stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; the Work of God on Behalf of Man