Genesis 4

“And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.’”

Genesis 4:4b-7

Here we have the first two sons worshipping God in the beginning of chapter 4 of Genesis. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock as an offering to the Lord, and Cain brought some fruit. God accepted Abel’s, but rejected Cain’s. Why? His response to Cain was, “if you do well, will you not be accepted?” We can infer that Cain’s offering was not sufficient. Perhaps he didn’t offer enough; perhaps it wasn’t the choice fruit; perhaps it wasn’t the first-fruits. Regardless, we can infer that Cain cut some corner in his worship of the Lord.

God did not reject Cain; He simply rejected Cain’s offering. As I’m about to begin another school year (already feeling behind), I’m in danger of becoming like Cain. If I repeat what happened last year, I will overwork myself, losing time spent with the Lord and with my wife. And, even if I do make time to spend with the Lord, it may not be “first-fruit” material. He’ll get me after I’m flustered and overworked and preoccupied. It’s not the offering he’s looking for.

Next is the crux of this situation. Cain is angry, dejected, and feeling inferior to his younger brother because of his insufficient offering. However, after God makes him aware of the reason for His lack of regard, He leads Cain to his next course of action. At this point, Cain’s anger and frustration could drive easily lead him to sin. The Lord tells Cain that he must rule over this desire.

Likewise, when things at school get frustrating, challenging, and time-consuming, I need to have the correct response. I need to discipline myself to rule over the desire to overwork myself and then spend more time at my Master’s feet. And, should my worship be lacking, my response needs to be a personal change, and not an attack on someone else.

Guys, pray for me. With so much that is required of me in being a teacher, it’s hard to stay disciplined and spend significant time with the Lord. By the end of the day, I’m beat and tired of using my mind. Thus, if I’m to spend time in the morning with the Lord, I’ll be getting up just after 5. It’s not easy and I will struggle all year long.

Lord, may I learn from last year. May You receive my first fruits of worship, and not what is left of me. Give me the strength to keep it going when I am weary.

Between the time I wrote it and the time I posted this, the Lord answered. I got this very calming peace that only comes after asking the Lord for it. I'm about to go to work, and I'm strengthened to meet its demands. Praise be to God, "who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, accoring to the power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)