LOOKING AT THE WRONG THING
And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.
Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV)
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 3:6 (NIV)
Today, let’s turn our attention to the Creator rather than to created things.
God made it perfectly clear. Adam and Eve had been given all they needed; they were only to keep away from one tree. Tempted by the devil, they turned their eyes away from the only One who could fill and sustain them. By looking at the wrong thing, they lost what they needed most—God. Unfortunately, we have inherited the sin patterns of Adam and Eve, and like them, we seek life, pleasure and wisdom in a million other places rather than in God.
That’s why Moses wrote this creation story. The Israelites had been rescued from the hands of the tyrannical Egyptians and given a promise from God that they were destined for somewhere beautiful (that’s why it’s called The Promised Land). It was a land flowing with milk and honey. Moses was directing their attention back to the place where there was harmony between God and man, a land where they would have all they needed. This was a far cry from their experience of slavery in Egypt.
APPLICATION: What are you settling for? In what ways do you search for life apart from God? Identify one way you often find yourself looking at the wrong thing, and instead, spend a few minutes in prayer, drawing your attention to God. Look to Him to fill your needs.
PRAYER: God, my eyes are often drawn away from You. I’m easily tempted to believe that You are not enough and that other things will fill my deepest longings. Please help me keep my eyes on You and trust You to give me what I need. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?