In the earliest days of man’s history the first... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

When they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Genesis 4:8

In the earliest days of man's history the first religious dispute occurred. Questions of faith have often caused heated discussions, and many people make the religious wars of and since the Middle Ages their excuse for refusing to have anything to do with faith.

The cause of the violence and bloodshed has never been true Christian faith but self-opinionated man. Genuine faith relies on God; whoever seizes a weapon relies on his own strength, which brings about a tragic end, as it did with Cain and Abel.

After the fall through sin God clothed Adam and Eve with skins of animals, so that they understood that sinful man can be reconciled to God only through the vicarious sacrifice of an innocent victim. Cain and Abel had surely learned this from their parents, and Abel had understood it. He was one of the fallen race of men. His desire to be accepted by God led him to choose a creature from his flock for a sacrifice, according to God's example. Through faith he trusted God's way: "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain" (Hebrews 11:4).

Cain also knew the right way, but he had other thoughts: he wanted to obtain God's favour by his own efforts. So his offering was of the fruit of the ground that he had himself tilled.

When Cain saw that his sacrifice was not accepted, he could not contain his wrath. Even today people are annoyed that they cannot satisfy God by their own means, but need the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. Yet there is no other way for salvation.

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 9:13-31 · Revelation 1:12-20