‘The Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”’ Genesis 3:9 NIV

The first recorded question God ever asked was to Adam: ‘Where are you?’ And it’s a question you need to stop and ask yourself today: ‘Where am I—really?’ If you don’t know the answer, or you do but you don’t like it, then today’s devotion is for you. When God asked Adam, ‘Where are you?’ he responded by saying, ‘I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’ (Genesis 3:10 NIV) It’s amazing the lengths we will go to in order to hide. We’ll bury ourselves in work or get involved in an affair or build a wall around our hearts—anything but face the truth. God wasn’t trying to find Adam; He just wanted Adam to find himself. Until you do that, you’re truly lost. And the problem is, when you hide you become a fake. Have you any idea how much emotional energy it requires to keep up an act for others? Only two things are worse: being a fake with yourself and being a fake with God. Plus, you’ll find it difficult to be honest with others or look them in the eye. Why? Because you’ll be afraid they might look into your heart and see the real you. Is that where you are today? Afraid to look into your own heart? The good news is, Adam was naked but God clothed him; he was guilty but God cleansed him; he was anxious but God comforted him. And if you come to Him today God will cleanse you, clothe you and comfort you. He’s just waiting for the opportunity to do it!

SoulFood: Jos 5:1–8:29, John 16:1–11, Ps 130, Pro 28:21–24

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©