# 52 Like It Or Not, We Are In A War

The Book of Genesis Day 52 Ge 4: " 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." There’s that phrase again, “it came to pass,” as we have said earlier concerning this phrase, the moment came when God says “go or no go,” and in this case he allowed Cain to proceed with his murderous action! You and I are likely not the first people who have shaken our fist at God and asked, “Why? You could have stopped this Lord, why did you allow this to happen?” Although not recorded in Scripture, I imagine that Adam and Eve were asking that same question! “Why God? What do you want us to learn from this?” Heb 11:4 is instructive for us as we read, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” The death of Abel began speaking to us on this fateful day and will continue speaking to us until our Lord returns! What is his death saying to us? Well one thing we learn is this enmity between the seed of the snake and the seed of the woman is not child’s play. There is going to be great animosity in this world between Christians and all others, the Christians role in this is to go on loving, but don’t marvel at the depth of hatred you will likely face: 1Jo 3:11-13 says, “ For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.” 2Ti 3:12 reminds us: “ Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” And Jesus said in Lu 21:16,17, "You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.” Early on, God is bracing His church for this fact, and Jesus offers us great comfort in Mt 5:10, when He said, “ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This one verse in Matthew, sums up the short life of Abel and gives all those who suffer for the faith great consolation. We know where Abel is now, may God give us the faith and strength to endure in the faith that one day we will join him in Paradise. Reflect: Name something you had to learn the hard way? When’s the last time something happened and you wondered why God didn’t do something to stop it? What would you say to someone who says something like, “I can’t believe in a God who allows something so bad to happen? Pray: Lord, we don’t ask for understanding, we ask for trust. Grant it to us when we need it the most! Amen