Today's Reading: Genesis 4:1-15

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:22

So Cain was very angry. (Genesis 4:5)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We’ve all been angry and we know we will be again. But also know this: When you are angry, "sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7).

Cain, the first murderer, killed his own brother in anger. The details are missing. Some suggest Cain did not know what he was doing, but simply let his anger go unchecked and before he knew it, his brother was dead.

In the emotional state of anger, we are vulnerable and easily tempted. But as God said to Cain: The anger is against you and you must rule over it. That is why it is important for us to know what is really worth getting upset about and what you should and should not do when you are angry. A lot of anger is completely unjustified. We let some things bother us way too much. Perhaps when you feel yourself getting angry you can stop and ask, "Why am I so upset? Is this really worth it?"

Cain’s anger was brought on by envy. His brother brought a better sacrifice and the recognition Cain wanted went to his brother. We can relate whenever the thing we were hoping for went to someone else. These things are disappointing, but not worthy of rage. But without God’s help, we cannot rule over sin. With the aid of the Holy Spirit, we can struggle against sin and rule over it. Not perfectly. Not every time. But, Lord willing, we can rule over it long before our actions lead to horrible and irreversible consequences.

Some things are worthy of anger. Even Jesus was angry, though it was tempered by compassion (Mark 3:5). The Bible tells us God’s wrath is stirred up over sin. It has to be. Yet this is the glorious mystery of the Gospel: God punishes our sin by sending Jesus to pay our debt with the result that God’s wrath does not remain on us sinners. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:8-9)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch