Genesis 4:7 (NRSV)
Read Genesis 4:7 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Devotion
This verse presents an image of sin that I struggle with — sin as a personified being, waiting to pounce when my guard is down. But, if at its root, sin is our desire to be God, to have complete control over our lives, then maybe that image isn’t so far off. The desire to justify myself, to prove myself to others and to God, is always lurking at the edges of my being. In Christ, I need to “master” that tendency, and act in response to God’s love by loving God, myself and others.
Prayer
Gracious and loving God, accept my repentance for trying to control all aspects of my life. Help me again to turn my face to you and walk the path that you have called me to. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.