December 20th, 2006
Who Told You?
“…the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was Lord God called to the man, Where are you? He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid. And He said, “Who told you that you were naked?…” Genesis 3:8-11 NIV
Yesterday on “Tuesday’s with Tracy”, Tracy wrote about Mary, and Gabriel’s message for her. Mary’s response to this word from God was “But How? When I have never slept with a man”, Gabriel’s answer was simple, “Nothing, you see is impossible with God!” Tracy’s question for us was “what is Your ‘but how, I’ve never…’ ?” “But how, I’ve never gotten a degree..” or “But how, I’ve never been successful..”
Genesis tells us of Adam and Eve’s demise, their fall to sin. When God comes looking for them they are hiding in the garden. (Ok, that makes alot of sense, hiding from All-present, All-knowing God. Yet how many of us try to do just that? But I digress.) When God finally “finds” them, they ashamedly admit why they were hiding, “…I was afraid because I was naked..” . God’s response here was “Who told you that you were naked?“.
We do not know how long Adam and Eve lived in the Garden before the fall, maybe centuries, maybe millenia, because before this there was no death. They had lived this whole time unashamed and walking freely with God, and suddenly NOW they realize their nakedness? They know they will be exposed for the failures they are if they stand before God. However, when God finally does find them He asks, “Who told you that you were naked?”
In this world there are two voices crying out to us. I ask you the same question God asked Adam. Who told you that you were naked? God says you are “clothed with the garments of salvation, that you are covered with the robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10) If God says you are not naked, you are worthy to stand before the King, then what idiot told you that you were naked?!
In everything you believe about yourself, ask this question, “Who told me…?” “Who told me I was a failure? Who told me I could not be what I was meant to be?” Stop asking “But how I’ve never”, and start 2007 with “Nothing you see is impossible with God!”. Begin to throw out the things that God did not say about you, and choose to believe the good things. You are a success! You are valued! You are Beautiful! You are divinely placed here with a destiny and purpose for your life!
If you liked this post, click here to buy me a coffee!
December 20th, 2006 at 8:26 am
Angel,
For years I believed that I was unworthy to be loved due to the authority figures in my life speaking words of defeat over me. They are the “one’s” who told me I was unworthy. But God tells me I am worthy and the apple of His eye. Like you said, I had to ask myself..who told me these lies? Then I had to choose to believe God and what He says about me. This truth has changed my life. Thanks for your blog today! -Tracy
December 20th, 2006 at 12:57 pm
This is right on target for me this afternoon. I needed to hear a word of encouraging. I know that I am worthy, beautiful , smart and etc…, but sometimes life brings those moments when you feel like a big idiot. For example, I am studying for the GACE to hopefully get a teaching job next year and to get into the GTAPP program. However, studying for the Math has made me feel like a big idiot. Math is not my strong suit. I am more strong in writing and reading. Things that I already enjoy doing. So, I am praying for strength. But this word spoke to me today. So, I will start to say what God says about me. Thank you.