Happy Second Day of the New Year!
The first thing that popped into my head as I read these chapters was that God is the same yesterday, and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NIV)
God asks me to present Him with my best. Best offering, best adoration, best service, best worship and praise. He is SOOO worthy. But Cain did not see God’s worth, only Abel. When God did not approve of Cain’s offering, Cain became angry, so angry, he killed his brother. I, myself, am a people pleaser, but my first instinct is not to attack someone else when I do wrong. It is my observation that some people feel that if they remove the person delivering a message to change, or to represent God, the message given no longer applies. And if the standard is changed, then they do not need to change. But this is twisted thinking. God deals with us individually. He does not compare our deeds to anyone else. Each is a standalone transaction. Each needs to conform to His standards, no one else’s. Unfortunately, Cain didn’t learn from his offering. He could have changed and did better next time. God would have honored that, but instead he took one wrong and made it into two! Still God had mercy on him, He did not kill Cain but made the ground so that it would be difficult to grow good crops. Cain replied to God, “My punishment is too much. I can’t take it!” Maybe he should have thought beyond the moment! If Cain would have thought about it, he would have realized that Abel’s murder was way too much! God spared Cain’s life, but God did not let him go unpunished.
As I read the family tree of the human race it seems that 10 years in our day, is like 100 years in theirs. They lived a long time back then, I think Methuselah lived the longest, which was 969 years. I bet he was trying to make it to a 1000, just like our milestone is always 100. Methuselah was Enoch’s son.
Enoch walked steadily with God.
Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared because God took him. Genesis 5:23-24 NLT
But then we read in Chapter 6:
This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. Genesis 6: 9-10 NLT
Both men walked in close fellowship with God. One was taken, and one had a purpose to save a remnant.
God does not treat people who do the same thing, identically. When they do right, or when they do wrong. So why is it important to me to compare myself with those around me? Why is it important to please those around me? Why is it important for me to strive to do better than the next guy? God sees each one individually, God has a task just for me. It doesn’t matter what anyone else does. I will be responsible for me, no one else! I need to keep my focus on pleasing God, for that is all that truly matters!!
Father God, You are a great mystery. Your ways are not my ways. Your thoughts are not my thoughts. Help me to forsake all others and make my main intention to be pleasing in your sight. I cannot do this alone. I need the guidance and help from the Holy Spirit! I know your ways are best, I know your thoughts are best, help me to live like this is true! Help me to be a vessel for you! As I start a new year, let this be my resolution, to grow in faith, trust, and hope, and to represent You like no other! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen and Amen!
Carol (carolvorwe)
Sixty-six books in a year 