To drive man from the garden, never to enter again, must have broken God’s heart.

God created Adam in His image with the capability to commune with Him. For instance, the Lord God brought animals to Adam just ‘to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.’ (Genesis 2:19) He also enjoyed chatting with both Adam and Eve as they walked in the garden in the cool of the day. (Genesis 3:8) 

The Lord gave them one instruction, however. They were not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in that day they eat of it, they would surely die. (Genesis 3:17) Lo and behold, the couple ate of the fruit, and the disobedience had consequences causing them to be banned from the garden of Eden. They were now separated from God which led to death.

Funny how sin’s influence and consequences have a way of being passed down to others. In this case, Adam’s transgression affected all mankind. “Therefore, just as through one man, sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to *all men, because all sinned…” Romans 5:12

God’s extreme love for man, made Him take extreme measures. This time, He sent His own Son to reconcile creation to Himself. The word ‘reconciled’ means to ‘change thoroughly’. Death is changed to life. What was once separated, is now rejoined through Christ. 

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:8-10

This restored communion with God is even better than before. For the believer, Christ dwells in us. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 Today, if you can hear the Father’s heartbeat, answer the door. What was once before … He wants once again.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I repent for the times I have allowed satan’s influence to entice me into sin’s trap. I respectfully ask Your forgiveness for all the wrong ways I have allowed myself to follow. I know that it is Your desire to have divine fellowship with me, and I long to come into Your plan and have that consistent divine bond with You, my Lord. Restore my soul unto You and lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3) In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Read, meditate on, and commit to the words of Psalm 23 today. Allow those words to penetrate deep into your heart and mind as you take each word personally and apply it to your relationship with God.