Do you hide from the presence of the Lord?

"So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden." Genesis 3:6-8 (Read Genesis 3:1-24)

What do you do when you hear "the sound of the LORD God"? What do you do when God calls to you through His Word and asks you where you are and why? Do you hide from the presence of the LORD? Are you ashamed and afraid of the LORD because of your guilt and shame? Indeed, many hide themselves from God and His Word because they would rather not have their sin exposed. They don't go to church and have quit reading their Bibles because they would rather not be reminded of their sin and of the just judgment of God upon them.

Right after the familiar words of John 3:16, the Bible also says: "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed" (John 3:19-20).

But, as Adam and Eve could not hide their sin or themselves from the presence of the LORD, neither can you! Nothing is hidden from His presence (cf. Psalm 139).

But why do you think that the LORD God came and sought out and questioned Adam and Eve? Was it because God did not know of their disobedience or of their attempts to cover and hide themselves? Not at all! God sought them out and confronted them with their sin and its consequences (very serious consequences for one "small" act of disobedience) because He wanted them to admit their sin and trust in His promise of a Savior in the Seed of the woman who would one day crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). Even though Adam and Eve had brought sin into the world, suffered spiritual death (being afraid of God and separated from Him), and brought sin's curse upon themselves and all of God's creation, God wanted them to know that He had a remedy to deal with their sin and one day restore all things.

And, why does God call out to you through the Scriptures, saying: "Where are you?" "Why are you hiding from My presence?" "Have you broken My commandments?" Of course, God already knows; but He would have you face the truth, admit your sin and turn to Him for mercy and forgiveness! Cf. 1 John 1:5 -- 2:2.

God wants you to know that, though you are a sinner deserving of His eternal wrath and punishment, He has a remedy to make all things right. That remedy is in His Son, Jesus Christ, the promised Seed of the woman, who lived a truly righteous and holy life without a single act of disobedience to God, and who then went to the cross and suffered and died for your sins and the sins of the whole world (cf. John 3:16; Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15; 7:26-27; 9:27-28; 1 John 2:1-2).

Sure, there are consequences for sin in this world; but God wants us to know that Jesus has already paid in full the punishment we deserve that we might have forgiveness for our sins and everlasting life with Him in the new heavens and earth which He will create. So, quit hiding from the LORD God and His Word! Face your sin and receive through faith the forgiveness and life which God has for you in His Son, Jesus Christ! Cf. Psalm 32 and Psalm 51.

O LORD God, I have sinned against You and broken Your holy commandments. Be gracious unto me, forgive my sin and cleanse my heart for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of Your beloved Son in my stead. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Editorial on 06/15/2016