[notice]A fortnightly devotional based on everyday experiences.[/notice]You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we’re in—first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death…But Adam, who got us into this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it. Romans 5: 12-14 (MSG)
Do not touch.
That is all the note on my colleague’s desk said.
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Normally I can walk past her desk without pausing, but this evening all I wanted to do was pick up that note, and see what was underneath.
I wanted to ruffle the papers in the pile and see what was so important it needed a sign.
It made me think of Adam and Eve and how they must have felt when God told them, “Do not touch that tree.”
For a moment I understood how all they must have wanted to do was shake the branches and taste the fruit. All because they had been told not to.
I identified with Adam and Eve as I contemplated reaching out and touching the sign.
I realised that if Eve hadn’t been the first to sin it probably would have been me.
I think that is why I love Romans 5:12 – 14. It tells us that even though Adam got us into this mess, by not being able to resist the chance to touch something he shouldn’t have, God already had a plan to work all things for good.
While Adam’s sin affected the entire human race, Jesus’ actions affect all who believe in him.
Adam and Eve still had to deal with the punishment and consequences of their actions but they weren’t left there alone in their sin. God was with them and He had a plan to redeem their sins through Jesus.
That is quite something to realise, that even in the midst of our sins, God is still there, he is still working for our good even as we struggle with the consequences.
As I walked away from my colleague’s desk without messing with anything I thanked God that He had a plan to save us from ourselves even we don’t walk away.
Have you messed with something that had a ‘do not touch’ sign? Do you believe that God can redeem it (and you) if you ask him? Ask God to redeem the situation.
