Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. Genesis 4:6, 7.
In the working of God’s people there are always times of test and trial, and God does not design that we shall shield men and women and youth from the liabilities that test the character. God will reveal His workings and will supply His attributes to the humble people who are seeking Him. Satan also will reveal his workings and will supply every soul he tempts with his attributes, his evil surmisings, his evil speaking and accusing of the brethren.
From this condition of things, the Lord cannot possibly shield those who place themselves on the enemy’s side, for God does not compel the human mind. He gives His bright beams of light as a lamp to lead and guide all who will walk in the rays reflected from Him. That lamp, His Word, is a light unto our feet. But if people disregard the path lighted by the heavenly beams and choose a path suited to their own natural hearts, they will stumble on in darkness, not knowing where they stumble or why. They will accuse and hate the very ones who make straight paths for their feet.
The history of Cain and Abel will be repeated. Cain insisted on carrying out his own plans in his offering to the Lord. Abel was steadfast in carrying out the directions of the Lord. He would not be converted in Cain’s way. Although the offering of Cain was a very acceptable one, that which made the offering required at all—the blood of the slain lamb—was left out. There could be no harmony between the two brothers, and contention must come. Abel could not concede to Cain without being guilty of disobedience to the special commands of God….
The Lord preferred the offering of Abel because it was correct. His offering was of value because it prefigured the redemption plan of God in the costly offering of His only begotten Son as the hope and salvation of the fallen race.
Cain was very angry when God accepted the offering of Abel and gave no sign that He recognized the offering of Cain, because it left out the true figure, the representation of the world’s Redeemer. But the Lord did not give up His way and will to conciliate Cain. He reasoned with him: “Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.”—Letter 16, 1897.
Christ Triumphant p. 36
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Esther and children as they are travelling home today and tomorrow. Rose
—-Please keep Ryan in prayer today & tomorrow. He has uveitis and the pressure in his eye spiked too over 60 last night. They are sending him and his wife to go see an eye surgeon right now. Shannon
—-Please put my good friend Gillian on the prayer chain. She has been having more trouble with her heart. She has valve problems. M
—-Please pray for a baby born with some major issues, that the doctors will do all in their power to fix as many as possible. Pray for his mother for comfort and for a walk with God. R
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Dear Friends,
I was watching a story about a girl who had been adopted and how her adopted parents had sent a letter to her new parents. They wanted her to meet them in a certain place when she was ten or twenty years old. The parents did not tell their adopted daughter until she was twenty. When the girl’s adopted mother was asked why she had not told her earlier, she said that she just had gotten wrapped up in the busyness of life and kept putting it until a more convenient time.
How easy it is to get so busy that we put far more important decisions off for a more convenient season. Sadly, that “convenient season” rarely comes although it finally did in that instance. It is so easy to be like Felix when the apostle Paul spoke to him “of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Acts 24:25 Although convicted that Paul spoke the truth and that he should accept it and let Paul go free, he failed to make a decision. When he was moved to another post, he left Paul in prison. When King Agrippa visited the new governor, Festus, Paul was able to bear his testimony before him. The king was convicted of the truth and exclaimed, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” 26:28
One day, in the 1870’s a hymn writer by the name of Phillip Bliss was listening to a sermon about this very thing by a pastor Brundage. The pastor made a statement that kept ringing in Mr. Bliss’ mind. “He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.” Later, that very day, he sat down and wrote the famous hymn “Almost Persuaded”.
“Almost persuaded” now to believe; Christ to receive: Seems now some soul will say,Go, Spirit, go Thy way; Some more convenient day On Thee I’ll call.”
“Almost persuaded,” come, come today; “Almost persuaded,” turn not away: Jesus invites you here, Angels are lingering near, Prayers rise from hearts so dear, O wanderer, come.
“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past. “Almost persuaded, doom comes at last! “Almost” cannot avail, “Almost” is but to fail! Sad, sad, that bitter wail, “Almost,” but lost!
May we no longer put off our decision to follow our Dear Saviour with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. May those mournful words never come from our lips, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” Jer 8:20 May we, today while there is still time, “give diligence to make [our] calling and election sure” is my prayer 2 Peter 1:10
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/abels-offering-represented-christs-sacrifice.html
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