6 January | Teens
«The Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. » Genesis 4:4, 5
In the story of Cain and Abel, the first children of Adam and Eve, we see God asking the two brothers for something special: the sacrifice of a small animal. Abel obeyed and offered God exactly what He had asked for, the best of His sheep. God was very pleased with Abel’s offering, for it was made from the heart and with obedience. Cain, on the other hand, did not follow God’s instructions in the right way. He brought only a few things that he had grown, but that was not quite what God had asked for. This story teaches us the importance of listening and doing exactly what God asks of us.
When God asks for something specific—like a sacrifice, which is when we give up something we like very much to show our love and respect to Him—we should do exactly as He asks. If God directs us to avoid certain types of food, we must obey. And if He chooses a special day to be remembered and kept, it is that day that we must respect. Obeying God is not just about doing good things, but about doing things exactly the way He asks us to.
Take Action
Let’s start a journal of obedience to God. Take a notebook and write down everything you understand God is asking you to do. It could be something you read in the Bible, something you felt in your heart during prayer, or wise counsel you received. This journal will be a powerful reminder for you to always remember to obey God in all that He asks.