“And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”
Genesis 3:21 (ESV)
Nestled between the sin of Adam and Eve and their subsequent banishment from the Garden of Eden is a short verse that could easily be missed. Yet contains such a powerful message; “And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.”
Divine-initiated grace. God Himself sewing garments. He didn’t provide Adam and Eve with instructions but took it upon Himself to provide a fit covering. Not made with fig leaves but skin. Although the passage doesn’t mention an animal sacrifice, it is safe to assume that an animal had to be killed, and its blood spilled so Adam and Eve’s nakedness could be covered.
In the same way, God’s grace covers us. The blood of Jesus covers the sin of all who put their faith in Him.
Isaiah 61:10 states, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness” (emphasis mine).
Psalm 32:1 says, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” (emphasis mine).
Like Boaz, who placed his covering over Ruth and ultimately redeemed her (Ruth 3:9), God spreads His covering over us. Not on the basis of our merit, but because of His great love. The lyrics to Steve Camp’s song, “He Covers Me,” express this so well:
“I know someday I will be free
The weight of sin shall be released
But for now, He covers me
And though the trials never end
I learn to take them as my friend
For each day He covers me.”
What a precious truth we can cling to, whenever we stumble or struggle. God Himself covers me!
Note:
If you don’t have that assurance, I would urge you to read the following.
Knowing God
If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, I would encourage you to read the Scriptures below and pray the simple prayer of repentance at the end. The salvation God offers us is a gift. It’s simple, and it’s free. He offers it to you, the only condition being that you accept it.
- We have all sinned
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NIV)
- Because of our sins, we cannot live in communion with God
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (NIV)
- God loved us so much, that he sent his Son to die as the penalty for our sins.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV).
- We cannot gain our way into heaven. All God asks of us is that we accept his gift of grace.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9.
- Accept God’s gift of grace and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
The jailer… asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:19-31
Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Romans 10:13.
Pray with me. “I acknowledge I am a sinner. I know that my sins keep me from enjoying fellowship with you. Thank you for sending Jesus to die in my place. Please forgive my sins and help me live in a way that is pleasing to you. I accept your gift of grace and ask you to reign in my life as Lord and Savior from this day forward. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
If you’ve prayed this prayer, then I welcome you into God’s family. You are now a child of God. I would encourage you to find a fellowship of believers where you can learn more about your wonderful heavenly Father and the grace he’s extended to you. Read your Bible and pray on a regular basis in order to grow in your faith and live a life that is pleasing to him.
May God richly bless you as you begin a new life in Christ.