SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11:4 NIV By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
THOUGHT: Do you ever wonder what God sees when he observes your worship? Your faith and trust is what God is looking for, and why he will be pleased (or not). Genesis 4 suggests Abel brought the best lamb of his flocks, and Cain just brought whatever was handy, then got angry when God called him on it. From Hebrews we learn Abel’s worship is from a place of faith (and humility, as offering a lamb was the essence of owning your sin and asking forgiveness). It made him righteous in God’s eyes. But Cain’s heart told a different story as God observed his worship: “If you do what is right,” God says to Cain, “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 (Gen. 4:7).”
Cain is given an opportunity to consider his worship, to rule over the sinful responses that want to “have” him — but he leaves worship, angry at God and so jealous of his brother that murder is the next story.
SONG: Offering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmgzBrYw5Nk
PRAYER: Oh God, thank you for the reminder that it matters what I bring to worship. My faith, trust, and offerings – my heart of worship – matter.
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