Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7).

Cain’s face became sad and angry because the LORD accepted the offering of Abel but did not accept his offering. Now God gave a second chance to him because of His mercy and grace. The LORD God said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Dear one, the Lord did not need to give him another chance. However, God provided an opportunity again to him to correct his error. He said to Cain- look, I am not favoring Abel over you. If you do the right thing, you will also be accepted. You see God wanted Cain to do the right thing so that He can accept his offering as well. God also said, if you do not do good, then the result will be a sin.

Sin is like a lion waiting at the doorpost of Cain to conquer him if he does not accept God’s way. However, Cain, you should rule over the sinful propensity. Instead of listening and submitting to God’s way, Cain got angry and asked his brother Abel to come to the field. When they both were in the field, Cain attacked him and killed him. Hardening of our hearts when God mercifully gives another chance will lead people to be controlled more by the power of sin. We should never harden our hearts to the good and loving counsel of God.

Even after he killed Abel, God again talked to Cain and asked him “where is your brother?” God asked not because He did not know what happened. God knows all things, and He knew what happened. God wanted Cain to accept and repent his sin. However, Cain hardened his heart again and said, “Am I my brother’s keeper?.” You see how many times, Cain ignored the loving call of the Lord God. Cain severely paid for his sin and was cursed, God drove him out of there,  and he became a wanderer and feared someone would kill him one day.

Let us approach God in His way, not by our way. When God speaks, let us listen honorably. The way to God has always been by the blood, by the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. There is no other way to come to a holy God and receive forgiveness for our sins. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

God, again and again, gives us chances to come to Him in His way. However, many in this world are not willing to accept God’s way, and they want to do their own way to please God. Their way is the highway. However, their highway leads to more sins and eventual destruction.

Beloved, Got a  moment for today’s prayer? Pray after me.” Father in heaven, I believe Jesus Christ is my savior and Lord. I believe Jesus Christ died, buried and rose again for my sins. I know there is only one way to come to the holy God and that is the way of the blood of Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for dying in my place for my sins. Please save me. Amen.”