01 November

Abel

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”(Hebrews 11:4)

The brothers Cain and Abel knew what God expected from them. At the time of harvest, “Cain carelessly presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock.” (Genesis 4: 3-4) Abel obviously feared and obeyed God, leading him to  offer his best, so his sacrifice was pleasing and acceptable to God. Conversely, as God rejected Cain’s careless offering, he got very angry and jealous and slew his younger brother. The blood of Abel, the first martyr, speaks vengeance and is compared to but is contrary to the blood of Jesus that speaks mercy. The Bible gives us guidelines and specific directions for living. Shall we obey?

ACTION: Obey God with the right attitude, irrespective of the cost.

PRAYER: Lord, we surrender our lives to totally obey and access Your mercy.