Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Wednesday October 18, 2023 TOPIC: SIN BRINGS SHAME AND REPROACH

 

BIBLE READING:

GENESIS 3:7-10

7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice 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 amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.  

KEY VERSE:

“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”  Genesis 3:7  

MEDITATION:

One of the major challenges of humankind is our failure to think through and honestly examine the various options we have before making our choices and taking our decisions.

Very often, we don’t critically think deep on the consequences and outcomes. Many of us think we are smart and can always maneuver or manipulate our way, but in many cases nemesis catches up with us.    

“Oh, Jane, so sorry, I never thought we could be messed up the way it went, am so sorry!” Those were the sober words of a young married pastor in a church who had slept with his choir leader (also a married lady), a number of times and had a pregnancy to contend with. The unfortunate incident ended both marriages. The pastor’s ordination was revoked, and made to undergo some embarrassing discipline. He complied but it was such a harrowing experience for him. He eventually got restored.  

Adam and Eve must have perhaps wondered why God would tell them not to eat a particular fruit from an only tree in the expanse of the Garden He had committed fully to their care! When God saw they disobeyed, He called out as was the practice, but shame would not allow them to show their faces. They went hiding! That is exactly the object of sin and iniquity – shame, disgrace and reproach. Sins makes us naked!  

What shameful experience you wished never happened in your life? What lesson did you learn about obedience and God’s mercy?  

PRAYER:

Merciful God, deliver me from wilful sin and disobedient.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

ISAIAH 47- 49, COLOSSIANS 3