S) "5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.'"
Genesis 4:5-7 (NASB)
O) Cain's offerings from the fields were not acceptable. Abel's offerings from the flocks were acceptable. The details of those two offerings are not given, but there are many theories. What seems more important, though, is to look at the immediate aftermath. There was a separation from God, when Cain tried to obey and missed the mark of righteousness. He became very angry, and his countenance fell. When God confronts him, He first asks about Cain's heart, then asks about his actions. Why was he angry (heart), then why was his countenance fallen (beginnings of actions taken). This is the first time we see sin personified as having its own appetite for destruction. God gives all of us a warning to go with this clear picture of the cycle of sin.
A) When I make a mistake, my emotions will begin driving me away from God (countenance down), which will pull me into more sin. The solution is to lift my eyes up, to the only hope for freedom. In Jesus Christ, the power of sin is finally defeated. It still exists, but it no longer has the power or authority to rule me. We are given the power to master sin, because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When I find myself in the immediate aftermath of sin, I first need to evaluate my heart, and determine why my emotions are what they are. Then, I can ask God to deal with those heart-level issues. Then, I need to immediately, and carefully examine my reactive behavior to the sin I have committed, to ensure that I am putting my eyes, faith, and obedience back where they belong, firmly on my Lord and Savior.
P) Father, You are so faithful to me. I am humbled by the grace and mercy I receive each day. I pray that I never sin again, but I know that I am still fallible, and living in a broken and sinful flesh, in a broken and sinful world. I never want to count on the "next time I sin" scenario, Father. But, I also want to be realistic. If I find myself in the mess of my mistakes again, Father God, open my ears to hear Your call, to examine my heart and my next behaviors. Let true repentance be established as my habit, if not perfection in my obedience. Thank You again, for the grace that covers my life, and the mercy I have through Your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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