Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Devotion - Wednesday, January 13

This morning I read from Genesis 4 the story of Cain killing his brother Abel.  This story continues to horrify me, though I have read it countless times.

My first disbelief is the impetus for Cain's jealousy.  Why is it that God "had regard" for the offering of Abel, but not for the offering of Cain?  I will leave that to another time, but wanted to note it, thinking you might also stumble over this part of the story.

The story does not explain God's actions; it addresses our emotions and our reactions.  The words of God (quoted below) draw a distinction between an offering being accepted and a person being regarded.

When Cain's offering is not regarded, he becomes angry and vengeful.  He kills his brother.  God exposes Cain's inability to withstand it.  God says to Cain, "If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it."

Our jealousy, our envy - these too often gain an upper hand on us and rule over us.  We do not resist them, they enter the door and dominate our lives.  There will always be occurrences where what happens is unfair (it isn't fair that God regards the offering of Abel over that of Cain).  We will forever be confronted with such.  The question is how will we respond.  How did Jesus respond?

Do not let hatred or suspicion or ignorance of another to enter the door and cause you to rise up against brother/sister.  Master it - with God's help.

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