Monday, August 3, 2015

August 4, 2015

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.  Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.  Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" Psalm 32:7-11

Guilt originated in Eden with Adam and Eve. That is because sin began with them and guilt is the result of sin.

One of the truly heart-wrenching scenes in the Bible is that tragic moment when God comes to the garden looking forward to His fellowship with the man and his wife. But they are not there in the usual place. God calls out, "Adam! Adam! Where are you?"

Where was Adam?

Adam was hiding from the God Who created Him in the garden He had created for him. Was this a game of hide and seek?

No. It was far from a game. It was more about shame. Adam knew he had disobeyed God and he was feeling the guilt. He felt the guilt because He was guilty.

So, here we are all these centuries later and the guilt from our sins still causes us to hide from God. Sin and guilt have no place in the presence of God.

This is the primary reason that sin is so bad. Sin causes you to hide FROM God when you were created to hide IN Him.

That is precisely why forgiveness is so good! Forgiveness removes the sin AND the guilt allowing you to hide IN God!

You can choose to remain in your guilt or you can revel in His grace and forgiveness!

Think of all the blessings you will enjoy as you reside in God's grace:

1) "you will protect me from trouble"
2) "surround me with songs of deliverance"
3) "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go"
4) "I will counsel you and watch over you"
5) "the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him"

Wow!

It sure makes a different to hide in God's grace!

What about you? 

Are you hiding in God or are you hiding from Him?