SCRIPTURE:
“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”
Genesis 3:21
“But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.”
Genesis 4:15
OBSERVATION:
2 Scriptures for Day 2.
Adam and Eve fail. God literally covers their shame.
Cain murders. God literally marks him so he won’t be harmed by any other.
But did He really need too? Doesn't God know and see? Did he really need to ask Adam and Eve to reveal themselves? Couldn’t he have struck Cain down instantly.
Absolutely not. But in doing so He offered the first accounts of grace He gave his creation a second chance, and opportunity to repent, to seek Him in their failure, to reveal the sin they were desperately trying to hide.
It's fun to find fault sometimes. To know who made the error and call them out on it. It brings feelings of superiority and advantage. But that's not Godly, that's not what He desires and requires. God gives grace and I should too. Instead of pointing out fault I instead should allow errors the chance to be repented and forgiven. Even if I know the truth and real story, allowing the explanation and repentance is better than condemning and punishing.
APPLICATION:
Thank God for second chances! If we have the humility to bear the correction, we have the undeserved grace of God awaiting us. I know, because I’ve been there. Ashamed, but covered by the grace of God. Sinner, but marked by my Savior.
The challenge and application is to not lean on the unconditional second chances of God, but to lean on the unlimited grace of God. One elevates me and my actions, the other elevates Him and His holiness.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for Your grace. Help me to offer grace as freely as you’ve offered it to me. Thank You for second chances. Amen
