"For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind" (James 3:16)
Cain and Abel were sons of Adam. Sibling rivalry are common but one would think that in a wide virgin land just teaming with all kinds of animals for game meat there was no need to compete. After all there was plenty around. Anyway when one day the brothers presented their offerings to God, "The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor" ( Genesis 4: 4). What happened thereafter was a tale to tell.
"So Cain was very angry and his face downcast" (vv 5). The Lord was concerned and asked what was the matter, pointing to him, "If you do what is right will you not be accepted?" (vv 6). All Cain needed was to capture and sacrifice some game too, like his brother and, then present "an acceptable offering to the Lord!" Never mind that. Cain held on to a simmering grudge. One day out in the field, "Cain attacked his brother and killed him" ( vv 8).
And instead of relief life was never the same. Not only had he lost a brother the Lord came down and said, "What have you done? Listen. Your brothers blood cries out from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened it's mouth to receive your brothers blood from your hand. When you work the ground it will no longer yield it's crop for you. You will be a restless wanderer on earth" ( vv 10-11).
All caused by envy. A matter which Cain could have saved himself of by doing just as good as the Lord had asked- just do the right thing!
It's a long time ago and little has since changed. When the Lord blesses someone there's is always one who instead of rejoicing and inquiring of the Lord sulks and bids time to "get even"! Intense and reckless rivalry is now born. Within families, blood relatives have been known to go for each other's throats, and just because someone felt sidelined, ultimately leading him to go for the dagger.
The Cain spirit of envy leads to the spilling of "innocent blood" and of which there are bitter consequences. Cain should have rejoiced in his brother's good fortune, did good in the eyes of the Lord and all would be well. Unfortunately an evil spirit took the better part of him and the results were not good.
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, the Cain spirit of envy still haunts us on on earth, and today I pray to be delivered of that envious spirit, for your blessings await the one who does right, this I pray in Jesus' name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
