Genesis 4:7

Sin is crouching at your door.

This verse comes in the middle of the story of Cain and Abel. Cain has just given his offering to God, which God rejected, and Abel has given his offering as well, which God accepted. I often wondered why God rejected Cain's and accepted Abel's. The only thing I can think of is that in verse 4, it says that Abel brought God "the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions." While it doesn't say as much, I can only think that while Abel brought God the best of his best, Cain didn't bring God his best, and that's why He rejected the offering. (If God is pleased with the fat portions, He must LOVE me!) Anyway, Cain is visibly upset at God's rejection of his offering, so God has a chat with him. God tells Cain that even though he screwed up by not doing his best, he can make it right by giving a different offering. He tells Cain that if he chooses this time to do it right, his mood will lighten, and all will be well. And this is where God tells Cain that if he doesn't do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. God tells him that "[sin's] desire is for you, but you must master it." Cain, of course, disregards God's advice, and we know what happens from there.

Thoughts for the day...
I read this verse and this passage, and I pictured in my mind a tiger crouched outside my door, ready to dive into his dinner if I make a wrong move in his direction. God doesn't mince words when He puts this down in His word...if I don't watch my step, I'm toast; sin is just waiting for me.

I learned two things from this passage. Actually, I knew these things to be true, but God knows (as does my wife) that I need to be gently reminded of certain things sometimes. So this is what was reinforced in me today:
1) God is a God of second chances. If I don't do my best in my walk with Him, if I royally screw up and don't honor Him with all that I am, He will correct me. He will offer me a second chance to do what is right. He knows what's in my heart, and He wants me to ask for His forgiveness, to ask for that second chance. I don't always do this, and I believe it hurts Him to see my struggle.
2) I can't do anything on my own apart from God. He tells us in this passage in His word that sin wants to take me over, but that I must master it. Based on some of the struggles I've had, it's clear to me that I've not mastered sin. And in the times I've not been able to master my sin, it's clear that I've not asked God to help me master my sin. That's because I can't do it alone! I must rely on God to help me.

Cain didn't take God up on His second chance offer. Cain didn't heed God's warning about sin crouching at his door if he didn't do what was right. I don't want to be Cain. I can never forget that Satan is just waiting for me to screw up, waiting for me to try to do it on my own, waiting to take me down. He will forever be crouched and ready to strike. But if I do what is right, and that is to seek God's help in all things, then Satan will be kept waiting.

My Prayer
Thank you, Father, for second chances. Thank you for today's reminder that only with Your strength can I do anything at all. I will call on You daily in all things-in praise and in times of need. I will call on You, Lord, to help me when I see sin crouching at my door, and You will help me fight it.