Love God Greatly: In the BeginningSample

After God created the man, He provided a place for him to live. This was no ordinary place. It was paradise. God created a place for the man to live that was full of blessing. 

God planted all kinds of trees, both for beauty and for sustenance. God planted the orchard among four rivers, providing water and continued life for both the man and all God had planted. Everything he needed was there for him. 

The location of the orchard is described in detail. It may seem like unimportant or unnecessary details to us today, but the detail was not lost on the original audience. This orchard was planted in an incredibly fertile area of the Middle East, later known as “The Fertile Crescent.” God not only provided for the man by giving him a home with enough food and water to survive, but He gave the man an abundance of resources in order for him to thrive and multiply. 

Before sin entered the world, God provided for the man in the orchard. And, as we’ll see, God continued to provide even after the man and woman sinned. Isaiah’s words in chapter 58 show how God continued to lead and provide for His people even when they sinned and rebelled against Him. 

Our God is a good God. He provides for His people no matter the circumstance. He provided for the man in the orchard and He provided for the remnant of Judah. He provides for you and for me each and every day. May we look for not only His provision, but for His continual presence and grace in our lives.  

Prayer:

Lord God, You provide exactly what I need. Today, help me remember and bring to mind all the ways You provide for me and bless me. I praise You for Your care for me. Amen.