Scripture Meditation

Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.

Genesis 4:13-15

Today’s Thought

In the Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf offers some sage advice to Frodo: “Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.” Too often are we quick to cast judgment on those we think deserve it. They are terrible people, after all.

If anyone deserved harsh judgment, it would probably be the first murderer in history. Yet God chose mercy. Cain feared for his life, but God not only spared his life but promised that anyone who did take vengeance on Cain would suffer a curse far worse than Cain’s. We may think it’s not fair. Why does Cain get a free pass? The short answer is, he doesn’t. He still bears his own curse and suffers, but it’s dealt out by God, not man. God is the one who will repay evil, not us.

Prayer

Lord, help me to remember mercy. As you have forgiven me for all of my transgressions, help me to forgive those who have wronged me.