Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Tuesday, August 18 2015
Been hurt, bereft, alienated? God will replace, renew and recreate.
Today’s Scripture:
“And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.” (Genesis 4:25).
Question for Deep Consideration
Can there be any consolation or comfort to a mother who has lost her beloved son? What if her loss were at the hands of another of her sons?
Today’s Observation:
When we highlighted the stellar character and faith of Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, by design, we did not spent any time on the fact that his own brother Cain murdered him. Yet, the fact remains that Cain was disgruntled with God; therefore, he murdered Abel (there must be a lesson in that somewhere). How must this have made Adam, and especially Eve who carried these boys in her own womb, feel to know that such evil could have come to her household? Scarcely can we estimate the consequences of opening the door to sin in our homes. To say Adam and Eve learned their lesson would be a gross understatement.
Abel, as you will recall, was a righteous young man. He learned to relish faith in God, instead of the works of his own hands. The Bible says that this faith was accounted to him for righteousness. He trusted God to make him holy, wipe away his sins, and to direct him to help others get to know his loving Father in heaven. But, as we have said, Cain murdered him. It is worthy of note to observe that when Eve birthed Seth, she associated him with her Abel. She said that God gave her a son “in the place of” Abel. A quick read of that would suggest that she was simply saying that she lost one beloved son, and the Lord gave her another son to love. However, a little digging into history would suggest that Seth had the same tendency toward faithfulness! He, like Abel, grew to know the Lord for himself. He, like Abel, grew to love and honor God, and his life was a witness to the nations that no matter how bad sin can get on this planet, our God is able to recreate us into His image, as long as we have faith in Him.
Through our many trials and losses, the Lord comforts and compensates His people as we await the final consolation—eternity with God.
Life Application:
Unfortunately, due to the extreme evil of sin, we cannot estimate the pain, brokenheartedness, destruction, and despair that come in its wake. Yet, through our many trials and losses, the Lord comforts and compensates His people as we await the final consolation—eternity with God. Oh, incidentally, the name Seth can be translated, “compensation.”
As you journey through the often difficult days and nights that are ahead, do keep in mind that things as they now are, are not the end of the story. This realization takes faith, and we can ask God to strengthen ours as we await His arrival. He will soon more than compensate us for whatever we have lost down here. Keep the faith, friends and be encouraged by these words: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:9–10).
A Prayer for Your Hearts:
Lord, thank you for being so faithful to us, and giving us the promise of eternal life. Now, please help us to rest our faith in you until Jesus comes. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
