Today’s Scripture: Genesis 3:14-24; Isaiah 61:10; Habakkuk 3:2
God is more than willing to forgive; but, even in the midst of mercy, we must face the consequences of our wrong-doings, as Adam and Eve quickly learned.
The Lord pronounced judgment on the serpent, then on Eve, and lastly on Adam (see Gen. 3:14-19). The ultimate punishment, though, was their being exiled from the garden, shut out for as long as they lived. No more walks with God in the cool of the evening. Those holy intimate conversations were a thing of the past. Adam and Eve had insisted on having limitless vision. Instead, they were prevented from ever seeing and enjoying again what had become part of their daily routine (see Gen. 3:23-24).
Thankfully, the Lord shows mercy in judgment (see Hab. 3:2). In spite of Adam and Eve’s wrongdoing, He took the time to replace their hastily-sewn fig leaves with His own Designer garments made from animal skin (see Gen. 3:21). God does the same for us as He clothes us in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness (see Isa. 61:10).
- What are ways you’ve made your own fig-leaf clothes in an effort to cover yourself?
- How has the Lord shown you mercy in the midst of judgment?