It was freedom and joy that they desired when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. Yet those were the very things they lost; because they did what they thought was right in their own eyes. Oh, yes! The serpent enticed them; but they chose to believe the lies. It was freedom that gave them that ability. A freedom they had enjoyed, walking each day in the Garden with God. Their life had been one of joy, peace, and harmony. Love overflowed all around them. Perfect harmony and joy in their relationship together, their relationship with the earth, and their relationship with God. But the tragedy was, they chose to become dissatisfied when they looked upon the fruit, desired it, and questioned the goodness of God toward them. He, who had created them and given them everything, was quickly cast aside for their own acceptance of a lie.
Freedom and Joy lost
Never again would their freedom or joy have the same meaning, for what had been so beautiful became a source of anguish and fear. They were suddenly filled with guilt and shame. Furthermore, they lashed out to blame each other. That perfect love they had known was now gone, cast when they chose to exchange the truth of God for a lie. Isn’t that what we do? We want or desire something or someone. Then, we cast aside all else to run after that desire, only to find in the end we lose the joy and freedom we had in God. The tragedy of it all! If only we would follow Him, His way and His path, He would never deny us any good thing. He is more concerned with our joy and our freedom than we could ever imagine. However, He knows what will truly bring us joy and freedom can only be found in Him.
Joy and Freedom, with rest
The Children of Israel had wandered in the wilderness. Moses had been a shepherd to the flock; yet, they continuously turned their back on God. Seeking after counterfeit joys and freedom, they exchanged the truth of God for a lie so often. He warned them again. So often, He had stood in the gap for this rebellious bunch pleading for their salvation before God. Yet, they would turn to chase after other things, putting their own desires above God. Each time lead to tragedy; but here we have Moses pleading once more with them.
“But you shall seek the place where the Lord your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling[c] place; and there you shall go. There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in [d]all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you. “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today—every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes— Deuteronomy 12:5-8
God’s Grace
Adam and Eve lost their joy and their freedom that day; because now they lived chained by their own evil hearts just as we do. But God’s grace came with the promise of the Messiah. Step by step, God prepared the way and then, He came. The word became flesh. Jesus came to pay the price for man’s sin, and we can bathe in His joy and freedom, if only we accept His gift of Salvation
Ah, but yes, even those of us who know Him as Savior can at times exchange the truth of God for a lie. When we do, mark my words, we will lose our joy and our freedom as we spiral downward, away from His Presence. Yet, the good news is, for those who know Him, He will never leave us there in the wilderness. He will complete the work He began in us. Just as He called out to Adam in the garden, “Where are you?”; He calls to us. Of course, He knows where we are. But He needs us to realize where we are. Only then, can He restore us to that place of fellowship where we know His joy and His freedom.
When we repent and turn from our sin, He restores our joy in Him. I know for I, like David cry out to God, broken by my own sinful heart and He is always there. He will never leave me or forsake me.
Tweets
[bctt tweet=”Sin when fulfilled robs your joy and your freedom, exchanging God’s truth for a lie” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Either God is Lord of All or we believe the Satan’s lie risking everything[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”True Joy and Freedom can only be found through saving Faith in Jesus Christ, when we bow before His Throne of Grace, repentant of our sin.” username=”effiedarlene”]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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