Everything Important In Life Started In Genesis

“Don’t just visit, dwell in the presence of God.” Andrew Wommack

How many times have you had an inner dialogue where several phrases come to mind. “Am I enough?” “Is this my fault?” “I am not smart enough to accomplish this task.” Also, the age old thought spiral that leads to wave upon wave of anxiety. If you pay any attention to the world and its very fragile hold on civility, one could surmise that the world is in an anxious spiral itself. In a recent article I discussed history repeating itself. There is indeed a reason that King Solomon coined the phrase: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Sure, one could argue that during Biblical times the people were not as sophisticated as we are now. While that may be true, I would argue that the struggles just have a more sophisticated name these days, but the struggles do remain the same. 

Where did it all start?

When did this crippling swamp of emotions invade our society? Personally, I believe all of these struggles originated in the Garden of Eden when the question was asked, “Did God really say?” Let us start from the beginning, in the first chapter of Genesis. The age old Biblical accounting of God creating the heavens and the earth. The Holy Spirit was brooding over the waters much like a bird broods and covers her young waiting for God to say the words: “Let there be Light.” There had to be light because God is the Light of the world. There is no darkness in Him. After those commands that God put forth with His mighty Word, He created Adam, the very first man. God gave him animals to tend, the earth bore much fruit that was absent of toil and Adam enjoyed companionship and communion with God. They walked in the garden together. 

It started in the Garden

In the garden there was much fruit to consume save one tree, the Tree of  Knowledge of Good and Evil. What fruit was on that tree? Why would God instruct Adam, and eventually Eve to abstain from taking the fruit of the tree? God knew there would be separation from God, toil in working the hard land rather than joy. There was the knowledge of sin and all that it entails. The Bible repeatedly tells us that the wages of sin is death. That is why God told Adam and Eve if they partook of the tree they would certainly die. In the Garden an age old struggle started, it would impact every part of human life. 

The Serpent was cunning

In the third chapter of Genesis, the scripture tells us that the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field that God had made. Cunning means to be crafty and deceitful, it can also mean attractive or appealing. As Eve was in the garden, the serpent asked her in a most appealing and crafty way, “Has God indeed said?” In that moment, this started the age old struggle, from that moment, Satan started his assault on humanity’s identity. If you eat of the tree, you can be like God. You can transition from being a mere mortal to the divine. It was a lie. Satan in his arrogance also questioned Jesus’ identity when he was tempted in the desert of 40 days. “If you are the son of God, throw yourself down from this high mountain.” After that, Satan even went as far to question Jesus’ identity by quoting scripture, “He will give his Angels charge over you, they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 

Why does Satan do this?

Christianity is a faith that alters your identity, because we are in a faith where we identify with Christ Jesus. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we are baptized into the faith, we are buried with Him in baptism, we are cleansed and instructed to walk in a new life with Him. Basically, our identity is now with Jesus and His life and sacrifice. Think about it, have you noticed that there is a crisis of identity in the culture? If you asked someone if they believe they were made in the image of God, what do you think their answer would be? I would wager that there would be some confusion with that question. In Jesus, as the Apostle Paul stated, “ I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” 

Satan questions our identity

Satan’s goal is to question our God given identity through anxiety, self-doubt, confusion, anger, addictions, hatred, violence, pride, the list is endless with sin. Top all of those off with the very vapid nature of social media and culture. What does social media elevate? If you are not seeking the path of Jesus, it leads to self worship. In the past, I would get angry with folks for turning to social media to tell all of life’s woes, their hearts are spilled out in emotion only to have angry answers in the comments section. After some reflection, I realized that this all goes back to the question of identity. Who are you if you walk with Jesus? The scripture tells us, it mentions over 70 times the phrase, “In Him.” Here are some of the examples:

•  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
• God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
• The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
• I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
• I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Satan is nothing but lies

The works and cunning of Satan can be summed up in this scripture, John 8:44:  He (Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. We live in different times with the same liar who wants you to doubt who you are in Christ. God made us, if we choose Him, He will make His home within us. 

How do we choose Him?

We learn the scripture, we let it make its home in our mind, heart and spirit. We realize who we are in Him because of His sacrifice. In fact, God has given us the tools to navigate our identity.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. What is a dwelling place? It is a spiritual concept where a person actively seeks to live in a close, intimate relationship with God, spending time in prayer and reflection. 

Choose God’s dwelling place

On this side of Heaven we will have the lies of the world to contend with, also the trauma of life experience, the pain of rejection, and the toils of life. But God has given us a way to remain in Him via the truth of Scripture. Think about it, how did God create the world? By His Word. Who is known as the Word in the scripture? Jesus Christ. John 1 tells us, “In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” If God’s Word can create the universe, how much more can He do with you as you dwell with Him? He made you. For  He created my inmost being;  He  knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful, I know that full well. When the world pummels you with lies, remember your identity in Him. The actions in Genesis displaced God’s order, when that happened, chaos ensued. Our identity as His creation was questioned. Find your place in Him.

Everything important in life started in those first chapters of Genesis, including the first prophecy of the coming Messiah. I leave you all with a poem I wrote a while back. 

Come taste and see. Come be with Me. Come to the secret place, the quiet place and stay hidden in Me. There great rest abides for your spirit and soul. As the world swirls around, and the waves crash. I will keep you steady my dear one. Take your time to rest. 

Think of My son in the midst of the terrible storm. He knew His Father would take care of him as the waves raged on. He was able to rest, to find deep peace. That peace is deeper and wider than the deepest depths of the sea. When you take that rest, that only I can give. You can help others when the storm rages round and round about them. In my quiet place I fill your spirit up. I fill it with My love, My joy, I refill your spiritual cup. My children I urge you in the next coming days-To spend time in My Word, get to know Your Ancient of Days. Know Me as your Jehovah Rapha, Your God that heals. Your Jehovah Jireh, Your God that Provides. Your Jehovah Nissi who is Your Banner of Love. I go before you dear children, with my deep and fathomless love. Your El Shaddai, Your Almighty One, who sent Jesus My precious son. 

Find Your peace from Your Jehovah Shalom, I can give you the peace that passes understanding as the winds of life blow on. Come to Me, My children and find your rest. Have that peace that only My children can possess. I give it freely and in abundance for you. Just spend some time with Me. Let Me take the weight of the world from you. After all, I am El Roi. Your God who sees you, my precious one.