The Lord Never Abandoned Man

       You know that picture you see of man in a sinful state beside a chasm or deep void with God on the other side.  Somehow that picture always stayed with me when I read Genesis chapter three and the ‘fall’ of man.  I imagined Adam and Eve outside of the garden on the other side of that void unable to be in God’s presence because of his sin, but that wasn’t so- God immediately made a way. 

       The Lord came back, knowing what they’d done, to walk in the garden and talk with them while in their sinful state and too ashamed to be seen by Him.  Then after He kicked them out of the garden (there remained consequences…), He still met them outside the garden and they talked.

Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence (Strong’s 6440) of the LORD God… Gen. 3:8 
The Lord still came and talked with them, and clothed them.

And the LORD said unto Cain,… Gen 4:6,9  Cain spoke back to the Lord. v. 9,13

And Cain went out from the presence (6440) of the LORD, Gen. 4:16

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face (6440) to face (6440)… Gen. 32:30 

And the LORD spake unto Moses face (6440) to face (6440), as a man speaketh unto his friend… Ex. 33:11 

       God’s presence/ face was still available to Adam’s children and later generations as seen in Jacob and Moses.  6440 in the TWOT* is the word panim or face.  The face is characterized by some personal quality, and is extraordinarily revealing of man’s, or in these cases, God’s emotions, moods, and dispositions.  There are some impressions you can get by a person speaking over the telephone, but to fully read their emotions, mood and disposition, you need to see them in person. 

       So man has the potential to be forgiven by God and to be in His presence.  Adam and Eve were clothed by God with the first dead animal skin.  Cain and Abel brought sacrifices.  Obviously early on they understood the repercussions of sin and the forgiveness of God.  We can still be in God’s presence today all because forgiveness is available by the blood of Jesus Christ.  (The cross in the chasm...  God put it there.)

       I also like to think we can still see the Lord face to face, but so far He hasn’t blessed me that way.  Still, I strive for it knowing that if it never happens while I am here in this flesh, it will surely happen when I awake in Heaven and I will be fully satisfied to finally see Him.  (Ps. 17:15)

*Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament

A Hug from a Stranger

       It was a simple question the cashier asked me, but with an intensity in her eyes that I wasn’t used to- like she really wanted to know.  She said she noticed I was undergoing treatment and knew how difficult it could be (the bald head with a bandana wrapped around it must have given it away).  After my reply, she told me of her husband who had finished another round of chemo for stomach cancer. 

       Her story was sad.  He could not be cured by surgery, so every couple of years he would undergo treatment again to prolong his life.  He determined to continue this way as long as he could for the sake of his very young children, but he wasn’t sure he could continue longer then their upper teens as it was becoming increasingly difficult to get through the treatments.  I felt compelled to pray for him and his family as often as remembered.

       Over the next few months when I would see her at the store, she would always ask about me.  Then over the next three years I would continue to see her but only rarely. Since I didn’t end up at her checkout we didn’t speak.  Finally, she was there again and I was able to say hello.  I asked about her husband’s welfare, and her children.  She was surprised that I remembered her story, and I told her that I’d been praying for them.  Her eyes welled up with tears, and she said, “Thank you,” then she came out from behind the counter and gave me a hug.

       Two people not knowing each other very well, but touching each other’s lives with similar struggles, were able to bring a little comfort, a feeling of not being alone to one another.  That’s the way it’s supposed to be. 

(God) …who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.  And why does he do this?  So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. 2 Cor. 1:4  TLB

After we hugged I walked away thinking, “She’s not a stranger anymore!”

True Beauty

       I’ve seen the East Coast with its rolling hills, and red rock shores, rugged terrain and inland lakes.  I’ve gazed at the calm of the rolling plains with white clouds floating among the blue canvas sky.  I’ve stared in awe at the majestic Rockies thrusting forth out of the crust of the earth, and seen cities nestled in green hollows on the ground from the mountain tops.

       I’ve observed waves breaking over the red slate shores, coloured rock bursting through the evergreen tree lines.  In the hills of the badlands I’ve followed striations of colour and in parks I’ve walked through ‘waves’ of sand beside the coast.  Throughout North America I’ve seen unique and stunning formations in caves so deep few men had seen.

       I’ve witnessed true exquisiteness in my daughter’s face the first time I held her delicate body in my shaking arms.  And when her tiny fingers curled around my finger, my heart nearly burst out of my chest.  Still, it took her first precious genuine smile, joy dancing as light in her eyes, to cause the tears to start flowing at such loveliness as I’d never seen.

       Such beauty You have created oh God, such beauty as I have seen.  My words will never describe it well enough.  The wonders of this universe, so immense and magnificent to behold, only pale to a mere sliver of a shadow when compared to Your glorious splendor.

I’ve never seen anyplace or anyone more beautiful than You!