13 ¶ And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
I've started a study on prayer and I've decided I'm going to attempt to scan the Scriptures and find all instances of actual requests spoken *to* God. I found it very interesting that this was the first one I found -- the prayer of a murderer and a rebel. And just as interesting as the fact that God caused it to be recorded at all, is the fact that He answered him! and didn't just answer, but granted his request!!!!
So, I get two thoughts:
1. wow, if God will even grant the request of a murderer, surely He'll listen to me.
2. wow, God even granted the request of a murderer, why isn't He listening to me?
Two extremes, I know, and maybe that's where my attitude comes in? Is that not also the difference between Zachariah and Mary? When Zachariah speaks,
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
he is then striken with the inability to speak until the child is born and he has affirmed his name. But when Mary speaks,
34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
she is given an explanation. A quick look it seems like the same question, but I believe he's asking for a sign (typical Pharasee? :D) wherease she's just amazed and asking how, while still acknowledging that God is able to do anything.
hmm, not sure there really is a connection there.... ok, my attitude, Cain's prayer, Zacharias and Mary.... God spoke to all of them. God heard all of them, but He also heard their hearts. And He used all of them, in His way for His purposes. Bottom line, that's really what matters. Our prayers are not to be about *me* but about God. We are not put on this earth for our own satisfaction, but to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," to "submit to God and resist the devil," to "humble [ourselves], and pray and seek [His] face,"
Micah 6:8
8 He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
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