The Ground Cries Out at the Shame of Men’s Hatred
The ground cries out at the shame of men’s hatred for their brothers. Since Cain killed Abel, men turn away from their loving Creator. When men hate, bitter roots grow around and around their souls, cutting off the flow of God’s love.
The Ground Cries Out at the Shame of Men’s Hatred
2MefromHim Devotionals
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15
The ground cries out at the shame of men’s hatred for their brothers. Since Cain killed Abel, men turn away from their loving Creator. When men hate, bitter roots grow around and around their souls, cutting off the flow of God’s love.
Like stones thrown into a sea of blood, man’s animosity and anger spiral in ever-widening circles through the centuries, drowning out all hope. Pain will curse the hearts of men as long as the sin of Cain turns brother against brother in hatred.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 #devotional #anger #hate Share on XGod Weeps for His World
Cain’s jealousy raged when God accepted his brother Abel’s offering but rejected his. It was not a matter of Cain’s offering being inferior but his heart attitude. He brought “some fruits” while Abel brought the best, “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flocks.”
God warned Cain about his unbridled anger: “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.” (Genesis 4:6) But Cain ignored God’s offer of hope and lured Abel into the field where he and attacked and killed him. And the blood of Abel cried out to God from the ground for justice.
Deuteronomy 29:18 says, “Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.” When man’s god becomes anything other than his Creator, it poisons his soul with hate.
When man’s god becomes anything other than his Creator, it poisons his soul with hate. #Godisgood #violence #worship Share on XThe Ground Cries Out for Mercy and Justice
How applicable to our day when bitter men demand what others have, rather than working to achieve the same for themselves. Above all, God’s message to Cain was for man to deal with his anger by doing what is right in the eyes of God. Hate is conquered when men submit to God and allow His love to overcome their anger.
Who understands better than God’s own Son, Jesus, the victim of an angry mob? As His enemies nailed Him to the Cross, He offered forgiveness to all who accept His sacrifice by faith through grace.
The ground cries out for mercy and justice. And Jesus beckons, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)
Respond to hate with God’s love.
Hate is conquered when men submit to God and allow His love to overcome their anger. #inspiraton #hope #Godislove Share on X© Norma Gail Holtman, June 26, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
God Seems Silent When Our World Spins Out of Control
God seems silent when our world spins out of control. When people seek to destroy each other with hate, violence, and destruction, fear threatens to dislodge faith.
God Seems Silent When Our World Spins Out of Control
2MefromHim Devotionals
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
God seems silent when our world spins out of control. When people seek to destroy each other with hate, violence, and destruction, fear threatens to dislodge faith. Hope runs low.
Our world heaves in the throes of COVID-19, riots, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes. Some perceive it as contrary to God’s loving nature to allow circumstances to run their course and not intervene. However, even when we cannot understand, the Lord is still with us. God promised to never leave or forsake us. He is present even when our world spins out of control.
When people seek to destroy each other with hate, violence, and destruction, fear threatens to dislodge faith. #riots #fear #faith Share on XGod Seems Silent When We Cannot Understand
Recently, a young Cooper’s hawk began to sit on the roof outside our kitchen door in the morning. One day, I heard a persistent tapping on a skylight in our family room. The young hawk was walking on the glass and pecking with his beak. Right below the skylight sat my laundry basket with bright red towels on top. Perhaps, he was confused by what he saw but not reach.
Have you felt that way? Frustrated by world events yet powerless to act? Unable to offer words of sanity and comfort? Perhaps you feel your prayers bounce off the ceiling without being heard. Confusion. Doubt. Fear. Questions. Hopeless. Helpless. Alone.
Have you felt that way? Frustrated by world events yet powerless to act? #hopelessness #helplessness #powerless Share on XWhen God Seems Silent, We Can Be His Hands and Feet
Just as the young hawk couldn’t understand what he saw, we’re powerless to trace God’s hand in the events of our world. It’s not easy to trust and never question the wisdom of God. Yet, He never promised freedom from trials, but to go through them with us. If we fail to accept what God sends with trusting hearts, we refuse His greatest blessings. To hope in the face of the unknown enables us to believe Him and trust His word as never before.
Let God speak love through you. Be His hands and feet in a lost and fearful world. #Godislove #love #COVID19 Share on X
Perhaps, like the hawk, we must move on from what we cannot understand and seek those things we can accomplish. We must trust God to control what we cannot. How can you reach out to those touched by prejudice, violence, tragedy, or virus? You can express thanks to law enforcement and first responders. Pray with and for those without hope, who turn to violence rather than God. Let God speak love through you. Be His hands and feet in a lost and fearful world.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 #God #wisdom #purpose Share on X© Norma Gail Holtman, June 1, 2020
About the author:
Norma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.
