Now Adam knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the Lord." (4:1)
Cain brings a lame offering to the Lord and gets the smack-down for it. What is his response? He kills his brother. What kind of reaction is that? What did Abel have to do with it? Nothing. But Cain decided that he himself no way couldn't possibly be the problem- it must be his brother. Cain even had the chance to cop to it before God but did he do it? Nope, he just got angrier and angrier. That's how people get when they don't want to admit their crap. They just get angry. Its pretty funny in a super-sad kind of way.
What, did Cain think he was special? That he didn't have to play by the rules? Bad call. Not one of us is special- we're all created exactly and totally equal in the sight of God. So if any one of us fails to heed the rules nothing we try to give to God will be accepted by Him. Not worship, not prayer, not service, nothing except an in the dirt confession. Why don't we just admit what we do? Why is it so hard? Why are we so slow to repent?
The really sad part is that because of his misplaced jealously, Cain lost the best friend he was ever gonna have. I know a little bit about that. Looking around at what she has and what she has and what she has which is none of my ding-dang business instead of looking straight into the eyes of the Lord and walking my own walk with Him. I might not murder you but I might wish you were dead, or at least that you would move to Indiana.
Wouldn't it be easier just to own up to my own sin and leave you out of it? Let me take my eyes off of everybody else and permanently fix them on the Author and Finisher of my life. May I only wish my sisters the best the Lord has for them, loving them with a supernatural love that comes from a more humble heart than I could ever muster on my own without Him who in His wisdom puts me in my proper place. Every time He does it, I thank Him for it.
Cain brings a lame offering to the Lord and gets the smack-down for it. What is his response? He kills his brother. What kind of reaction is that? What did Abel have to do with it? Nothing. But Cain decided that he himself no way couldn't possibly be the problem- it must be his brother. Cain even had the chance to cop to it before God but did he do it? Nope, he just got angrier and angrier. That's how people get when they don't want to admit their crap. They just get angry. Its pretty funny in a super-sad kind of way.
What, did Cain think he was special? That he didn't have to play by the rules? Bad call. Not one of us is special- we're all created exactly and totally equal in the sight of God. So if any one of us fails to heed the rules nothing we try to give to God will be accepted by Him. Not worship, not prayer, not service, nothing except an in the dirt confession. Why don't we just admit what we do? Why is it so hard? Why are we so slow to repent?
The really sad part is that because of his misplaced jealously, Cain lost the best friend he was ever gonna have. I know a little bit about that. Looking around at what she has and what she has and what she has which is none of my ding-dang business instead of looking straight into the eyes of the Lord and walking my own walk with Him. I might not murder you but I might wish you were dead, or at least that you would move to Indiana.
Wouldn't it be easier just to own up to my own sin and leave you out of it? Let me take my eyes off of everybody else and permanently fix them on the Author and Finisher of my life. May I only wish my sisters the best the Lord has for them, loving them with a supernatural love that comes from a more humble heart than I could ever muster on my own without Him who in His wisdom puts me in my proper place. Every time He does it, I thank Him for it.
So true! My favorite part is the Lord is so loving and willing to help him!!! vs. 6-7...wont you be accepted too if you do well?...sin is after you Cain!! I love God...what a loving Father moment!!! I can just hear how much he was for Cain...of course he has enough mercy and love for us all and wants to see us choose him. But Cain rejected it because he was so consumed with jealousy...the tragedy! Sad.
ReplyDeleteGreat read here...thanks!!
that IS a good part and such a perfect example of God's love for us. thanks erika for highlighting that! xo
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