For thus says the Lord,Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the Lord, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:18, NKJV)
Earlier I addressed God's original intent for mankind in terms of the practical things He provided. In this entry I want you to visit with me His intent spiritually.
The earth, in all its glory, was man's habitat. And yet, it was here that the God of the Universe chose to meet with man and have a personal and interactive relationship. We see that God and Adam (which included Eve) walked with God in the Garden. Picture it, a lush tropical paradise with all the flora and fauna surrounding you on every side, and God and man casually walking up the well manicured paths, arm in arm, and discussing the things on their hearts. Can you see it? This was God's intention from the beginning.
Earth was built for man, a luxurious habitat, but also the place of meeting where man and God could enjoy each other's company. The relationship was always meant to be personal, close, intimate, and uninhibited. There was no priest, no intermediary, and nothing to keep them apart. Man was free to walk with God without fear, and he could talk with God face to face. Can you imagine it?
Then came the Fall. It was the saddest day in human history. Everything God had built was for naught. Man was lost from God, and God was now unapproachable, terrifying, and had gone from being a dear friend to being a dreaded judge. But the heart of the Father hadn't changed.
Time went on and certain individuals saw that God still wanted to walk with man. He hadn't changed what He wanted. Enoch got so good at it that he walked all the way to Heaven before he was even dead. Others tapped into the presence of God on a limited basis, but the majority of mankind still stood in terror of what God would do to them in their sinful state.
Thank God, Jesus came and turned it all around. Once again man was able to gain unfettered access to the Father. Our God could again be our friend. The earth, built as man's habitat, could again become the place of God's visitation, not the once in a while, scary visitation of the Exodus, but a place where God could walk with us, talk with us, and be a tangible part of our lives on a daily basis.
As you walk through your day, do you take advantage of being able to walk with God in every situation? Call it "practicing the presence of God" or "life in the spirit," but avail yourself of Him and what He has for you. From the beginning God wanted to walk with you. Walk with Him! You'll find your life changed in ways you could never imagine.
