It’s a new year (again). The ads for gym memberships and dieting products are everywhere. Organization and de-cluttering is top of mind as the Christmas decorations are packed away. We want this new year to be fresh and different. Behinds us are weeks of bad eating, crazy schedules and sometimes painful situations. Many of us long for a clean start to the year–a “do over” of sorts.
I was struck today by two “do-over” stories from Scripture. It just so happened that these passages were listed as the daily reading in the online devotional “My Utmost for His Highest”. First came the story of Cain and Abel, then the story of Noah and the great flood.
Most are familiar with the basic details of the Cain and Abel story, but I was reminded today of God’s grace as I re-read the account from Genesis. Cain, in a fit of jealousy and rage, kills his brother. God delivers a consequence for the killing of Abel by driving Cain away from his home, and cursing the ground. It then reads:
“Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 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.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
Cain was forced to have a fresh start. God could have ended his life, struck him with a plague, or any number of punishments. Instead, he spared him, showed him mercy and sent him on his way. Cain goes on to find a wife and start a family. Does he live a happy life after that? We simply don’t know.
Then comes the story of Noah:
“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”
If you are basing your knowledge of the entirety of the story of Noah from last year’s movie, don’t! Go back and read the full account in Genesis. It’s a sad story, but also one of God’s mercy, as he allows Noah, his sons and their wives the opportunity to start again.
Do either of these stories resonate with you? Perhaps you feel as though your new year comes on the heals of bad choices you’ve made; damaged relationship, broken promises and a host of events that you can’t take back. Or maybe, you feel as though the world, in it’s brokenness, has left you with nothing. You have only the bare necessities and little hope for what may lie ahead.
God can give you the fresh start you desire. It may not come in the way, or with the ease you would desire. However, He is a God of mercy and second chances. Seek Him today as you begin to plan out what comes next. Regardless of what circumstance you find yourself in today, know that He can be trusted with your tomorrow.
I pray that 2015 will expose you to the bigness of God’s love for you. I pray that you will find peace and joy in walking with Him. I close with a Scriptural blessing for everyone reading this:
The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
