Devotional
for the Week 21 January 2008
Worship
That God Accepts
Scripture Text: Genesis
4:1-15
“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the
soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits
of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat
portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD
looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and
his offering he did not look with favor” (Genesis 4:2-4)
Introduction
The scripture text records the first example of worship in
the Bible. What is the point of the text? While Cain and Abel
both brought offerings at the same time, to the same place,
using the same outward actions, God found one favorable, and
not the other. While both Cain and Abel went through the outward
act of offering–by bowing down in submission and obedience,
God was pleased with the heart that was true.
The
bible records that Abel brought fat portions from the firstborn
of his flock (v4). We can infer that Abel went above and beyond
to please God. His actions took faith and were representative
of his trust in the Lord. This is similar to Proverbs 3:9
when we are told to honor the LORD with our wealth, and with
the firstfruits of all our crops. The attitude of Abel’s
heart was congruent with his outward expression. In contrast
to Abel, Cain is recorded to have brought “some”
of the fruits of the soil. “Some” does not suggest
deliberate choice. It implies that Cain was going through
motion and carrying out the offering as mere duty (v3).
A
parallel to this is found in John 4:24 when Lord Jesus told
the Samaritan woman that “God is spirit, and his worshipers
must worship in spirit and in truth." Our Lord teaches
us that when we worship, it should come from our spirits.
Outward action should reflect our deep desire to be obedient
to Him and to draw close to Him. This is the true heart of
a worshipper. God is not looking for the outward form but
the heart of worship.
This
should not discourage us. Even if we don’t have a true
heart of a worshipper today, we can start with a willing heart.
In the scripture text, we learn how God did not condemn Cain
even though his offering was not pleasing to Him. God challenged
Cain to change his heart’s attitude and master sin (v6-7).
When faced with the choice, Cain decided to disobey God. Today
when God challenges us, are we willing to be corrected by
God? Are we willing to change? Are we willing to learn from
our mistakes and move forward? This was the willingness that
God looked for in Cain. This was the same willingness that
the boy’s father in Mark 9:24 exhibited when he, in
response to the Lord’s question immediately exclaimed,
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
For
all of us who recognize that we are not ‘there’
yet, God is asking us if we are willing to change. Let us
be like the tax collector who was so desperate for God that
he went to the temple and prayed from the bottom of his heart
for God’s mercy (Luke 18:13-14). Let us be like the
psalmist who so desired to be led by the Lord that he asked
with all earnestness for his heart to be searched and for
his offence to be revealed (Psalm 139:23-24). Let us do all
this as an expression of our willingness to change and be
obedient only to Him.
Conclusion
This year, while we continue to take challenges to go forth
and do things for God, we want to go deeper into Jesus as
well. We want the attitude like that of Abel – whose
outward actions were congruent with that of his heart. And
even if we may not have an attitude like that now, we want
to be willing to be changed by God and to let God have His
way, just as a Potter would mould the clay. Today, let us
be eager to listen and to respond to His voice.
Prayer
Response
Sovereign Lord, thank You for a new beginning this year. This
year, it is my deep desire to draw closer in intimacy with
You. Today, I surrender my heart to you. Teach me O Lord,
what it means to worship You in spirit and in truth. To You
be all praise and thanks.
Devotional
based on sermon by Rev Lim Jen Huat