The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: Genesis 3:1-24

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment.”
1st John 4:18

Afraid? Why?

What a pathetic sight to see Adam and Eve trying to escape from the presence of God by hiding in some bushes in the Garden of Eden. Why were they hiding? What had God done to make them afraid of Him? God had done nothing, but Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit; they had sinned. They were no longer perfect in love; hence, they were in torment.
We look at ourselves. Maybe we do not attempt to hide from God in a bush, but do we ever find ourselves trying to hide from Him behind a cluster of good works or semi-reasonable good excuses? Oh how often we’re tempted to do this. Why? Because we are guilty and we afraid. God has done nothing to make us afraid of Him. God still opens His hands and satisfies the desires of every living thing. He is still our Merciful Lord, is He not? It is our Lord and God, who does these things. Should they cause us to fear? Never! God’s perfect love draws us to Him. Then our love will increase and cast fear aside. For there is no fear in love.

April 29, 1953