January 2 – Genesis 4-7: Sin Is Crouching

 

I’m sitting in the hospital room watching my grandmother breathe as I write my first devotional for the year. She is 90 years old and suffered a stroke this morning. The combination of watching her sleep and meditating on Genesis 4-7 turned my thoughts to my heritage.

I was blessed with parents and both sets grandparents to live as Christians. It’s quite a privilege for me. Many people aren’t so blessed. Yet, with all I was born into, I still managed, like every other person, to fall directly, headlong into sin.

Look at Cain and Abel—they weren’t tempted with our temptations of today: no internet, no pornography, no wars circling around them. They were born into the most sinless era of humans. Life consisted of just their family with a father and mother who had walked with God in the garden. Who better to raise a child than they?

However, in that bitter moment – sin over took Cain. He killed his brother. He didn’t kill because too many guns were at arms length, or because he viewed too much violence in the streets or on TV, or played too many wicked video games. Only the sin in his own heart pushed him to the edge.

In Genesis 4:7, God warned Cain,

“Sin is crouching at the door – you must master it.”

Now, I doubt many of us struggle, like Cain, with the sin of murdering a family member. Yet, hold no doubt about the fact that our own “sin is crouching at the door” and we must master it.

Possibly, you’re like me and you struggle with:

• Judging others
• Laziness
• Jealousy
• Unkindness

Whatever sin is crouching at the door, are you going to master it and overcome it through the power of Jesus Christ? Or, like Cain, who was led down a path he never contemplated.  Have you walked a similar path that you never contemplated?

As Abel offered a sacrifice to God, our sacrifice was made at Calvary by Jesus Christ. God accepted that sacrifice. His blood was shed and paid for all sin. As you come to Christ, know that He has given you His Holy Spirit to live the Christ life and Jesus is within to face any temptation you may face. We were given a new nature and have the power to flee temptation that attempts to entangle us. Praise the Lord!

Pray with me: “Jesus, open my eyes to the sin that tempts me and is crouching at my door. You are my strength through your Holy Spirit to overcome and master the sin that is crouching at my door.”

Without naming your sin, comment about how we may pray with and for you: http://thebiblefeastblog.com

In Genesis 4-7, the man had relations with Eve and she conceived and gave birth to Cain.  Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of the flocks of animals, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Both brought an offering to the Lord. The Lord accepted Abel and his offering with high regards. However, for Cain and his offering, God had no regard. Cain exploded in anger, his countenance fell.

The Lord said to Cain, “Why has your countenance fallen?  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.”

Tomorrow’s Delight: Genesis 8-11

 

Kelly Quinn, South Carolina, mom of seven

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