Knowing the Worst Punishment

Scripture: Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” Genesis 2:13-14

Observation: When Cain details his terrible punishment - more than he can bear - he adds two elements to it. One is just a hypothetical fear, but one is a conclusion. Yes, he is being driven from the land to be a wanderer, and his fear is that others will therefore kill him. However, his greatest concern is that he will be hidden from the Lord's presence. This is the element that makes the punishment unbearable. Wandering isn't unbearable, struggling isn't unbearable ... but separation from God is.

Cain is expressing the fear of hell, which is separation from God. That is the last and greatest punishment for sin, which is itself the behavior that separates us from the Lord in spirit.

Application: My sins continue, as do all man's, for we are sinful by our very nature. However, as it is my true desire to draw closer to the Lord and be better connected to his spirit, so I must consciously resist sin more and more. Every time I just 'go with it' I am risking the unbearable punishment ... separation from God, even if it is just for a short period on this day. And I could wander into dangerous territory for longer-term punishment.

I do seek to be with God, to walk with him daily, even if it cannot be in a beautiful garden right now. I want to walk to the Lord here on earth, and I cannot do that when my mind wanders. I have continued effort ahead of me.

Prayer: Lord, I seek your assistance all my days. I desire to obey your laws and precepts. I pray for the strength and awareness and fortitude to keep you will and follow your path, so that I may find you and take your hand daily. Amen.