The Fall

Listen to today’s reading:

Genesis 3:11-13

And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Psalm 32:5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Today’s Reading:

Walking back to the dugout after a strikeout is a pretty shameful thing for most, especially when you first start playing. It’s awkward for the guys in the dugout too. As a batter that just struck out, I didn’t want to be told “you’ll get him next time” accompanied by that fist-bump or pat on the bottom. I just wish I wouldn’t have swung at that curveball in the dirt or high and inside fastball… and your teammates probably wish you hadn’t either. It’s inevitable though. When you become a batter, you automatically become a failure. It’s known that great hitters are successful about 3 out of 10 times, and stats show that the average ball player will strike out about 1 out of 5 times. The harsh reality is that when you’re born into this world, you have been born into the world of sin and failures – and the shame can be overwhelming. Imagine Adam and Eve’s shame in the garden before a holy God. They hid from God because they were so ashamed of their sin. Thank God that Jesus came to undo our shame and walk with us through it. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We often feel shame because we let our team, family, or friends down. Know that most importantly, all sin is a sin against God. That is an overwhelming thought. Though we may never forget our wrongs on this earth, God (who we really have sinned against and should be most concerned about) remembers them no longer when we confess and repent (Isaiah 43:25). His mercies are new every day.

Today’s Prayer Guide:

Praise – Tell God how gracious he is in mercy and thank him for undoing our shameful acts through his Son.

Confession – Confess any sins that are holding you back from relationship with him and others.

Ask – Ask God to forgive you and help you have the courage to reconcile relationships.