Genesis 3 gives us the account of what we know as the Fall of Man. This is when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit off the tree that God established as forbidden. Many, including myself, have wondered why God would do such a thing; placing such a "temptation" before them. I still don't have a real solid answer, but I do understand that God did give us a free will, and that love, devotion and commitment can only be visible in a persons freedom of choice through free will. But the amazing part of this is that in spite of our short comings, God still chooses to love me!
I believe that the Fall of Man wasn't when they ate the fruit, that was just the outcome of an earlier fall. The fall entered the mind before their lips touched the fruit of the tree. From the beginning of time Satan has wanted to destroy God's purpose and plan for mankind, and he does it the same way every time... planting the seed of doubt against God's Word. "Did God really say..." Genesis 3:1
This seed of doubt can be very convincing to all of us, especially when our eyes are focused on the circumstances and the facts that seem to be stacked against us. Did God really say that He would supply all our needs? (truth)Then why did I get my layoff notice? Did God really say that by the stripes of Jesus I am healed? (truth) Then why am I still battling this sickness, or dealing with this injury? Did God really say raise up a child in the way he should go and they will not depart? (truth) Then why is my child so distant from God and living a life of hell here on earth? The real life experiences seem so convincing, and the doubt of what God's promises really are seem so distant from becoming a reality. If we allow the seed of doubt to take root in our mind, fear and destruction will be the fruit that we will eat of.
God's answer to Adam and Eve in their situation comes in one of the most powerful questions: "Who told you that...?" Genesis 3:11 Who told you that... you can't rise above the economic tide? Who told you that... your healing isn't real and for you, but for people that are better and more special? Who told you that... your children are too far for God to reach them?
In my life, I can tell you that the temporary circumstances have always fallen short to God's purpose and plan for my life. Coming from a broken home, and an absence of a father didn't keep me from becoming the father that I was destined to be, or a marriage that is still passionate and full of life after 14 amazing years! Although I didn't go to a 4 year bible college, it didn't stop God from opening doors for His call in my life as a youth pastor, associate and now senior pastor! In spite of the economic strain, God has still allowed our church to build what God has destined for our church in our our community. My wife and I have seen God's faithfulness to us financially and has allowed us to give sacrificially over the past 2 years! Who told us we could do all this? Certainly not society, not all our friends, nor all the church going people. Who told me that there is a plan and purpose for my life. Who told me that these plans are for me to prosper, for good and not for evil? (Jeremiah 29:11)
Let's not continue the Fall of Man. Let's be firmly established in God's Word regardless of what the circumstances may seem to be, or what others may say. Let's see the Rise of Man come as we remember what God told Joshua "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
