As I sat by my family’s wonderful home in South Florida by the pool, I was reminded of the Garden of Eden. It took time, energy, and money to create a beautiful place to enjoy the sun, the water, the weather and the plants. Frank and Deb, my daughter and son-in-law, are the source of where this blog begins…in the beginning…
Eve - beautiful, perfect, the first woman lacked for nothing. Spending time shopping for clothes or food or planting a garden was not in Eve’s daily schedule. Everything she needed was provided and perfect. Her husband adored her…I mean come on now when was the last time your beloved swooned over you stating, “You are bone of my bones, flesh of my flesh.” Her name literally means in Hebrew, mother of all life, a gathering, declaration or humility. Intimately known by Abba Creator, she walked with, talked with, and loved Him. Eve, the lover of life, has always been the scapegoat. It was perfect and good and GOD said so.[1]
Ponder this: Eve only knew God and Adam. Think on this: wouldn’t Eve want to be like God? I want to be like my Abba, I want to do what I see my Father do, just like my Savior. When she took the fruit of the tree, I don’t believe Eve was acting out of unpure motives, greed or pride. Only wanting the very best for her husband (who was perfect up ’til now), and herself; evil manipulated her by using WORDS to turn the entire conversation into deception. Remember, Eve was not with Adam when God stated what could and could not be eaten. Isn’t that what evil does? Deceives, lies to us, gets us off the truth and there we go, falling into the crevasse of sin. Listen to what the deceiver said: Genesis 3:4-5, “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman, “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil[2].”
Up until this point, Eve had trusted in her Creator. With only two in her world, this was a new voice she was hearing. Trust was something that was “normal” to her. She trusted her husband and her Creator. Knowing nothing other than trust, she was probably none the wiser. [We are told: Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.]
Accordingly, in whom do you trust? The evil one is a liar, a deceiver, and a con man. Anything that comes from him is a LIE! Don’t feed into it. Today, your Beloved comes and asks, “Do you trust me?” Will we listen to Him? He asks every day: “Do you trust me?” He says, “You are worthy, beautiful, loved, care for, protected under my wings, and worth far more than rubies.”[3] He says, “We are righteous,[4] forgiven, worth more than rubies.” He died for you, loves you, and has the best for you. Keep your mind fixed on HIM and you will have Shalom [peace].[5] You see, when we trust, we obey! Let’s trust for this moment, this hour, this day, this night…walking in trust. We have worth and value in the eyes of our Abba Father and we can really trust Him.
[1] Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.
[2] Genesis 3:4-5
[3] Proverbs 31:10 For her worth is far above rubies.
[4] 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
[5] Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
References from New King James Version
Blessed.