By Faith: Living for God

1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 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.”

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?”

“I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”

Cain felt short-changed. We all know how painful that feeling can be. In fact, that feeling can be dangerous and even deadly. In Cain’s case it led to murder. He felt he was short-changed because he had not gained God’s favor but Abel had. Cain’s solution was to get rid of Abel. Abel was sacrificed on the altar of Cain’s desire for success.

God’s blessing, however, does not rest on those who aim to sideline or eliminate his faithful people. Cain’s lack of faith embittered his life. As punishment for his capital crime, he became a permanent fugitive. No rest for the wicked.

Abel was the first to be martyred for his faith in God. His faith literally cost him his life. But he was not the last. Many believers have discovered that persecution is no stranger to people who follow the one true God.

Martyr’s blood, however, cannot be silenced. It cries out to God. God hears the cries of all who lay their lives on the line for him. God honors their love, obedience, and faith by crowning them with resurrection life, with eternal life.

The martyr’s blood of God’s beloved Son was shed for the salvation and resurrection of Abel and all his brothers and sisters in the faith. The truth is that faith makes all the difference!

Thank you, Father, that the faith of all who believe in you speaks even though many have died a martyr’s death. Uphold the faith of all who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake. Amen.