Genesis 1 – 16

Overview:
Cain & AbleMost of us have read or heard about the story of Adam & Eve.  While the creation story is important, there is a lot of other information presented during day 1 of the Bible in 90 Days.  It took a little over an hour to read the 16 chapters.  While there was much more happening than just the first 6 days of creation, it isn’t my intent to recount everything that occurred.    In one sentence, these 16 chapters of Genesis cover Creation, the first murder, the account of Noah, the flood and finally the introduction to Abram (Abraham).

I have selected two brief scriptures for today’s reading along with their application.

Scripture – Genesis 2:8-9

The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.  And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Observation
God created everything through His spoken word.  Light, water, ground, plants, animals and Mankind.  The scripture includes many details about creation and these details reveal Gods compassion and forward thinking for His Creation which include the provision of food for mankind.  He (God) planted trees which were pleasant to the sight and good for food.

Application
God was so completely involved in His creation that he didn’t forget to think about us.  He created food that would be both visually pleasing as well as good for us to eat!  He actually planted the garden for us.  This all took place in a perfect, sinless world much like heaven will be when we are one day with our Lord.

Scripture – Genesis 4:6-7

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.”

 

 

Observation
An interesting interaction took place with God & Cain.  Cain was angry with God and his brother Abel because the offering Cain gave to God was not pleasing.  Abel’s offering was pleasing.  Cain’s jealousy and anger were evident to God and he warned Cain about this.  God told Cain that “sin desires to have you but you must rule over it.”

Application
Our thoughts and feelings can cause us to sin against God.  We must control our emotions and our attitudes when we are presented with challenges and disappointments in life.  God warned Cain that his anger was pushing him towards sin and it will consume him BUT, he can control this if he tries.  He “could rule over it”.  It isn’t the circumstance that causes us to sin, it is our lack of self-control that we have over our emotions and thoughts.  Many times, sin is presented with to the eyes first, then we think about what we saw and then we experience it just like Eve did with the fruit.  “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for providing for our daily needs.  Help us to remember that you supply our “daily bread” and that we should trust you to help meet our needs.  Help us remember your love that was displayed to us during creation.  Help us guard our thoughts and attitudes.  Help us to control our desires and to turn our focus from ourselves and place them on you daily.