DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-01-05
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Genesis 4:6–7
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 6 The Lord said to Cain: What’s wrong with you? Why do you have such an angry look on your face? 7 If you had done the right thing, you would be smiling. But you did the wrong thing, and now sin is waiting to attack you like a lion. Sin wants to destroy you, but don’t let it!

OBSERVATION: Isn’t it funny to watch a child try to wiggle out of their guilt when caught by a parent? Isn’t it heartbreaking to watch an adult in the courtroom when they are being tried for a crime? God Has designed our emotional system to respond one way when things are good and we are happy, but in a totally different way when we are upset, sad or disillusioned. As you meditate with me on this Scripture today, I hope that God will open our eyes of understanding and help us recognize those areas of our life that curtail our happiness.

APPLICATION: Notice how we never wish anyone a sad day, or an unhappy future. We know that our bodies react best to happiness, and our minds are most content when we are not sad. Yet we find ourselves doing things that we know will result in sin and unhappiness all the time. Jealousy seems to be a huge culprit in pushing us towards revenge and/or payback – in other words, we want to hurt the other party back for the hurt they caused us. This all started back with one of our very first ancestors – Cain. He became jealous of his brother Abel, so he thought that he would just terminate him altogether. The death of a loved one always makes us sad, but imagine how much worse that would be if we realized that we were responsible for the death of a loved one. I believe that leads to a double dose of unhappiness, as our conscience pricks us for disobeying God’s law about murder, plus our heart aches for the loss of one who spent time with us, albeit often challenging times. Friends, God not only knows all things, but He sees all things and also knows our innermost thoughts. So don’t you know that God was well aware of why Cain was so sad inside, despite any smiles he may have tried to force onto his face? God knew that if Cain had done the right thing, you know – chosen to discuss his hurt feelings with Abel and perhaps look to him for advice on what he might do better in providing more pleasing sacrifices to God, then there would have been contentment in Cain’s heart, and contentment leads one to happiness. Doing those things opposed to God’s laws, means that you sin by doing them. In spite of one becoming hardened to sin, deep inside they will still have a feeling of sadness and disappointment, because they know that they have hurt God, and in most cases hurt a fellow human being. Friends, I bet this all seems philosophical to some, but I believe that God wants us to know that the same thing occurs in the life of an individual today. While you may not have killed a brother, or anyone else, if you have done something that is sinful in God’s sight, then you have displeased Him. If you have sinned and done something wrong, I could only believe that it has also impacted the life of one or more other individuals. Why live with that guilt and unhappiness dear friend? God loves you and I believe that nothing will please Him more than to know that His child is happy and content with all that He has blessed you with. Let me encourage you to read the Word and seek to understand and apply it to your life this year. As you fill your heart with the Word of God, your desire to sin and displease Him will begin to disappear from your life. Unhappiness and stress will affect your heart and other vital body functions. Do the right thing, stay right with God, and live a long and happy life. God will be glorified in your life and it will impact others around you.

PRAYER: Thank You precious Lord for life itself, and for providing a wonderful world around us to enjoy. We are blessed to meet some of the kindest and nicest people wherever we go, and it becomes so evident that Your love exudes from them in amazing ways. Your laws are perfect, and I am convinced that they were put in place to help us live a long, happy life, so that we could be a blessing to others. Please help us to stay strong and not be so determined to have our own way and do our own thing, but instead stay strong in the power of Your might, Your power, and Your will. I believe that true happiness comes from You, but we need Your strength to overcome the power of Satan to live like You. Please be our Guide, Protector, Friend and Savior until You call us home to glory. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!