“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”” Genesis 3:1-9 NKJV
God who seeks us,
The serpent, which was a beast of the field You Lord God had made, was the first of creation to rebel. I had not noticed that before. He told lies and half lies.
Jesus warned us that offences (stumbling blocks) would come and woe to him through whom they come (Luke 17:1). We long to see the liar silenced. But we cannot use that as an excuse. We have choice. Temptation is not temptation when it is something we are not interested in. And I have noticed it never gives the reward it promises. Drug addicts tell me that after the first high they are always chasing it and it is never as good they need more and more. Temptation is never the reward it promises. And that little voice lies, just a little won’t matter, it won’t hurt anyone.
“Where are You?” You God ask, when You knew exactly where they were. You needed them to own up. Of course they blamed the serpent. But he had not eaten . . . the serpent still has freedom of speech and we need to remember we are never above temptation. Best to start the day with, “Here I am Lord”. And turn to You when temptation whispers in my ear. So Your voice, like the sound of many waters (Revelation 14:2), can drowned it out! And if I succumb? Not try to hide from You, My Saviour.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 6th January 2026
Sometimes a traditional hymn says it like it is. And if we say we are without sin we deceive ourselves.
According to the author, this song came instantaneously while studying “Theory” It is not clear what he meant by “Theory” or what he was studying. But he says when the whole idea, words and music, came to him, he put aside his theoretical work and jotted down this song as fast as the pen could move.
Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
To him that o’ercometh,
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Saviour,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Lyrics: Horatio Richmond Palmer