“Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”
—Genesis 3:9

Reflection

God made the first move.

When time did not exist, God began it. When the earth was formless, He put shape and order to it. And when God desired fellowship, He created humans in His own image. He took the initiative in creating us so that we might know Him and enjoy Him.

This principle of God’s initiative is fundamental to understanding salvation. Simply put, salvation does not start, nor has it ever started, nor will it ever start, with us. When it comes to salvation, God takes the initiative, just as He took the initiative to start a relationship with us by forming us from dust.

When Adam and Eve sinned and brought separation between themselves and God, who was the one who pursued the other? God.

In Genesis 3:9, the Lord called out to Adam while the man and his wife were attempting to hide from their Creator. Who was the one who made a way for restoration? God. Who was the one who, in His grace, covered Adam’s and Eve’s nakedness and shame (Genesis 3:21)? God.

The Lord started the first relationship with mankind, and He always took the initiative to keep that relationship intact.

Beginning with Adam, the Hebrew Bible is one continuous story of God reaching out to mankind. In Genesis 12, God called Abraham from a family of pagans and polytheists. We have no indication whatsoever that Abraham did anything special to merit God’s attention. There is no mention of him being so righteous that it got God’s attention from heaven.

Yet God chose him not because of his goodness or his works but because of the Lord’s sovereign grace. God made the first move and appeared to Abraham, establishing a covenant that continues to this day.

In the same way, God later chose Israel as His people not because of any goodness that they inherently possessed or because of their potential. In fact, Scripture tells us they were the fewest of all peoples (Deuteronomy 7:7). Exodus 32:9 even describes them as a stiff-necked people. They did nothing to merit God’s selection.

Instead, the Lord chose them purely because He loved them. Deuteronomy 7:6–8 makes this beautiful truth clear. Israel was not chosen because of its greatness or accomplishments, but because of God’s love and His faithfulness to the covenant He made with their fathers.

Beloved, consider what this reveals about the heart of God. From the creation of mankind to His pursuit of Adam and Eve, His calling of Abraham, and His choosing of Israel, the Lord has always been the One who takes the initiative.

Salvation begins with God, not with us.

Application

• Remember that your relationship with God begins with His initiative, not your own efforts or accomplishments.
• Reflect on how God pursued Adam, called Abraham, and chose Israel. Thank Him for His sovereign grace and love.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for taking the initiative to create me so that I might know You and enjoy fellowship with You. Thank You that salvation begins with Your grace and not with anything I can accomplish. Help me to understand the depth of Your love and to stop thinking that I must earn Your attention. Open my heart to receive Your grace and respond to You in faith. I love You, Father, and thank You for reaching out to me. Amen.