March 11, 2014 Psalm 32
Tuesday Genesis 4:1-16
Hebrews 4:14—5:10
It is often difficult for us to
understand God’s will and plan for us. I recall having great difficulty
understanding God’s position regarding Cain and Abel when we discussed it in
Sunday school. Cain was a farmer and raised crops. I get that. Abel was a shepherd
and raised flocks. I found it troubling, knowing that later, the prophet Hosea
says “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Yet, God has “regard” for Abel’s
animal offering but reject’s Cain’s crop offering. Perhaps I felt that way
since my mother’s family were generations of farmers. When I questioned the
apparent favoritism, my Sunday School teacher said perhaps Cain had held back
some of the offering. Yet scripture doesn’t say that. Even after the murder,
when Cain says the punishment is too much to bear, God sets a sign on him to
protect him and prospers his family. We can never know the mind of the Lord.
God had a plan for Cain and a plan for each of us. Often, willfulness has put
me in difficult situations. I made decisions without waiting to see God’s clear
plan. We must be open to Him, recognizing that he allowed His own son to be
sacrificed that we might find Grace and Salvation.
Father in heaven, subdue my thoughts
and desires and, yes, even my deep-seated plans, to Your divine will and “make
Thy way plain before my face.” Amen
Franklyn Commisso
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