This Day in History: 0000-06-06
June 6 – Genesis 4:6-7
“Why are you so angry?” The Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
I’m intrigued by the story of Cain and Abel (the third and fourth human characters named in the Bible). It’s so early in human history, and yet sin is already out of control! I’m especially fascinated by Cain. When I was growing up, I always thought of him as this really bad guy, as if he had been created just to be the villain in a story, and there was nothing redeeming about him. But upon closer, more grown-up examination of the story, I find so much that interests me and makes me want to sit down with God and ask my questions.
The Bible doesn’t tell us why Cain’s offering wasn’t accepted and Abel’s was, but it certainly implies they knew why. I’m always surprised to see that Cain had a close, personal relationship with God. They talked. In the passage above, God told Cain all he had to do was chose what was right, and he would be accepted, just like his brother. God warned Cain. “Watch out,” He said, “Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.”
Is it any different today? Here we are, thousands of years later, and not much has changed. Still, we find ourselves often making the wrong choices before God. We still find ourselves looking at others and what they have with God in envy. We haven’t stopped forgetting that we could have the very thing we covet if we would simply choose Him over lesser things. And still, God speaks to us in warning, alerting us to the danger that crouches at our door!
Will we listen to His prompting and turn? Or will we be like Cain and allow the allure of the flesh to pounce and control us? Will we walk around dejected, like Cain, believing the lie that we are the victim of our own bad choices? Let’s heed the warning, and quickly my friends! Let’s turn from our sins and choose what is right. Let’s live our lives in the beautiful presence of our Lord and enjoy the security of His acceptance!