God Has Seen This Before

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

This week we've been reflecting on Genesis 37, when Joseph's brothers get angry at him and try to kill him. Unfortunately, that's not the first time sibling rivalry went to the point of violence. Genesis 4 tells the story of Cain and Abel - and it's not pretty. Cain is upset with his brother, and ends up killing Abel.

One of the things these passages remind me of is that God has seen all of this stuff before. There's no relational drama you face that God doesn't know inside and out. That's why the verses above are so powerful - because God is constantly speaking, constantly interceding for justice, and constantly inviting us to find strength in him to do the right thing. God is not there to judge Cain, but to invite him into a new way of life. And even after Cain wrecks his family by killing Abel, God still promises to stand up for Cain as he goes out in the rough and tumble world. 

As Genesis 4 shows, Joseph's relational hardship in Genesis 37 was not new to God. And that was literally 4,000 years ago. Do you think God's seen a few things since then? Take some time to ponder the relational tensions you face today and this weekend - and listen in for God's invitation to see them through his eyes, with his heart, and to face them with his Spirit leading the way into true life.

Important Dates Coming up:

Good Friday, March 30th: 6pm service at Bill and Katy White's house, 2490 Maine Ave, and 7pm community potluck dinner to follow.

Easter Sunday, April 1: 10:30am worship service followed at 11:45am with a fun egg hunt. Invite a friend!!!