Schemes

S. Ecclesiastes 7:29. "Truly, this I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes."

O. We were created to have perfect communion with God. In other words, we were made "upright". But we, being human and having a free will, have sought out many schemes, beginning in the garden of Eden. When the devil's schemes took man outside of God's perfect provision, he wound up feeling embarrassed, ashamed, and guilty. After  initiating communion with Adam, God finally found him hiding in the trees, covered with fig leaves.

A In direct contradiction to an upright vertical relationship with God, my schemes (sin), run horizontal. This screams of the cross. It's imperative that my relationship with the LORD remains completely, uncompromisingly upright. I thank God that the Holy Spirit not only found me hiding, Jesus' blood completely covered me where the fig leaves never could. So God no longer sees my horizontal schemes ; He only sees the righteous blood of Jesus Christ, Who restores my "uprightness".

P. "Jesus, thank You for covering my sought out 'schemes' and redeeming my 'uprightness'. Praise Your name that You made it possible for me to live a vertical life in communion with my LORD."