Going through Genesis, we firstly see the joy and wonder of creation, and the imagination, purity and delight of God in what He has made, and soon it all goes wrong….
Why does it go wrong? Because mankind want to do things their way. Adam and Eve were tempted then the initial sin of mistrust in God leads into depravity and destruction as we can clearly see in the synopsis of chapter 5. Then we hit this bombshell moment in chapter 6;
‘The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. *6*And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.’
Genesis 6:5-6
Wow! What a contrast to the earlier chapters where things were 'good'. Now, the will and choice of humankind has led to God regretting that he made the whole race! I found that quite hard-hitting when i read it, that God saw the horrible stuff we get up to and felt so sick and sad about it that he felt intense sorrow. Doesn't that just show the incredible love of God?
God allowed, and still allows, humans to make up their own minds, to have opinions and choices, but can you see why God gets so sad about our disobedience or mistrust of Him? When we consider the unfolding reality through the book of Genesis that doubt, temptation and human choice can lead to a rapid descent into sin, why do we still favour our own decisions above God's advice? With Adam and Eve, the initial lack of faith in God, starting to doubt who He is and what He has said ends up with; murder, boasting, polygamy, unhealthy relationships and further distance put between God and His own creation, and that's just in these first few chapters, as you read on you will see lying, rape, incest, homosexuality and much more depravity.
The very created beings that were intended to replicate something of who God is have gone away, and don’t even see it. No wonder God grieved.
What would God see if He looked around the Earth today? I am sure He would still see, ‘that the wickedness of man was great’. Not much has changed. mankind still wish to exert their own importance and feel in control by making their own choices. Don't you think, that each time we knowingly do wrong that God is still grieved ‘to his heart’?
Do you realise that only things that are dearly loved are dearly grieved?
It is because of God’s enormous love for you that you grieve Him when you do things wrong, not because He hates you or wants to punish you, but because He sees how far you are running away from Him, and how the impact of your choices will effect you and those you care about.
Today, ask yourself, are you grieving God in the way you are living your life?
God has done everything He can to demonstrate His love to you, He follows you, He cares and provides for you, not only that, but He also allowed His perfect son, Jesus, to bear the ultimate shame and punishment just so you can experience the depth of His love for you by being free of the guilt of your sin.
Today, you have a chance to put away wickedness, accept forgiveness and live a life knowing you’re loved - are you going to take it?
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