W Brockmeier
The Cool of the Day
The cool of the day suggests the period of the day when we are free from our secular obligations and the usual demands placed upon us. It is a time of refreshment after a stressful day. The Lord God came to enjoy fellowship with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (Gen. 3:88And they heard the voice 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 amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8)). Likewise, the Lord Jesus desires that we would spend at least a few moments of quiet fellowship with Him at the close of the workday. Do we grant Him and ourselves this brief season of joy?
Adam and Eve did not eagerly anticipate the cool of the day on one occasion, but rather sought to hide themselves. It was sin that had brought a lack of desire to meet the Lord. How often, during the course of the day, sin comes into our lives by means of thoughts, words, and actions. Instead of confessing it to the Lord at that time, we often immerse our energies in the responsibilities before us, resisting the tugs on our conscience. Then when the cool of the day arrives we are uncomfortable in the Lord's presence.
How often the enemy successfully comes in when our chores are completed to further occupy us with valueless pursuits. Perhaps these pursuits are not evil in themselves, yet they cause us to continue in a bad state of soul simply because we put off judging those sins we have allowed. This course only hardens our hearts further. We may even seek to correct our failures and make up for our errors by our own efforts rather than simply confessing them frankly and openly to the Lord. He stands ready to forgive and restore our souls (Psa. 78:38, 3938But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. (Psalm 78:38‑39)).
When the Lord called "Where art thou?" Adam's response indicated he had a bad conscience. He then sought to transfer the blame for his failure to Eve and also to God Himself: "The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me." How much better to honestly own, "I have sinned." Communion is then restored and we can once again enjoy the cool of the day.
The Heat of the Day
Abraham sat in the tent door in the heat of the day (Gen. 18:11And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; (Genesis 18:1)). The heat of the day is early afternoon and would indicate a time of pressure, deadlines, rush, tension and the like. As the Lord appeared to Abraham during this time, so He desires to have a moment of fellowship with us during the heat of the day.
Though an old man, Abraham showed energy and diligence in providing food and refreshment for his visitors. How often older ones put younger ones to shame by their selflessness and zeal while not having the same youthful abilities or strength.
Do we make use of opportunities during the busy day for fellowship with the Lord? Abraham desired to provide something for his guests; likewise, it is our privilege to minister to the Lord by communing with Him. These times can be real feasts for our souls, and yes, for His heart as well. It need not be worship, but simply the mutual enjoyment of like interests.
Many times throughout the day the Lord "knocks at the door" in order that He may enjoy fellowship with us. If there is that sensitivity to His voice during the heat of the day, we will happily anticipate the cool of the day when are free to spend more than just a moment in contemplation upon those things concerning Himself.
Behold; I stand at the door, and
knock' if any man hear My voice,
and open the door, I will come in
to him, and will sup with him,
and he with Me.