“And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him in His heart. “Genesis 6:6
The other day I was thinking about original sin and how devastating a blow it was for Adam and Eve to have their close relationship with God severed, even though it was by their own choice. I found myself wondering how often people consider how God must have felt in that very moment? God’s special creation which He had intended to be in close relationship with Himself had....well....died. As with any death, grief for those left behind can be overwhelming. That indescribable feeling that comes when we first find out a loved one has died, the sheer devastation and profound sense of loss.....imagine how God felt when mankind rebelled. Imagine how He still feels when we sin!
I have to admit, in the past when I have thought about original sin, I have experienced feelings ranging from irritation to downright bitterness at having to live in a broken world. After all, someone else made the choice to rebel and I was born into it, and even though I can choose Christ and be redeemed from it, I still must suffer life in a fallen word. I would rather live in the Garden!
But that is self centered thinking. If I stop my lamentation for just a moment, I can hear God’s gentle voice reminding me that I am not the only one who suffered. We all know how horribly Messiah suffered on the cross, but I suspect it goes deeper than that. God has feelings too. There are dozens of words which describe His greatness, but one word I do not often hear is sensitive. God feels. No matter how great and mighty He is He still hurts. We know this to be true because when Jesus saw how grieved the relatives of Lazarus were over his death, He wept. In that very moment, the heart of God cried out the three words common to all those who grieve a loss, “I miss you!”
In Genesis, God was grieved over the evil which had proliferated the earth by man’s hand and it grieved His heart. He wasn’t just sorry He had created mankind, man’s evil actions BROKE HIS HEART!
So I guess with that in mind, it is sound advice to say that we should critically think about every thought, word and deed, not just with regard to consequence to ourselves.....but most importantly with a heartfelt desire to never grieve the Holy Spirit.
Lord, please give me a spirit check every time I am tempted to sin, stray away or otherwise grieve Your Spirit. I know that because Jesus suffered and died that I have been redeemed, but I sincerely wish to honor You with every thought, word and deed that I choose to exercise. Father, please show me the way and also those who read and offer You this prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus. AMEN!
