Practicing The Presence
“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?” Genesis 4:7
Do Well – What do you do when you fail to live up to God’s standard? You could throw up your hands in defeat and say, “It’s impossible. No one can be perfect.” Of course, then you would have to re-read Deuteronomy 30:11 (November 19 – Not Too Difficult). You would need to remember that “perfect” is a terrible translation of “holy” (Matthew 5:48). No, I’m afraid that “impossible” is not an excuse. Neither is, “I’m just human.”
You could do what Cain did. Be discouraged. Let your face fall. And get angry – at God and at those whom God accepts. But we all know where that leads – straight to “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Or you could listen to God. He offers some very useful and practical advice. “Go make it right – and get on with life.”
“If you do well” uses the Hebrew verb yatav. It is connected to several Hebrew idioms like finding favor (“be pleasing in someone’s eyes”) and be happy (“do well in the heart”). It does not always have a moral sense. Sometimes it just means to do something well, with expertise. Notice once again what God suggests to Cain. “Go do what you should have done. Do it right. Do it well. And come back encouraged.” There is no condemnation here – only enlightenment. “Cain, why are you discouraged? Just go fix it. Then it will be fine.”
Brother Lawrence, the monk who wrote The Practice of the Presence of God, understood this passage of Scripture. Whenever he found that he slipped out of conscious contact with God, he confessed immediately, and then went right on with life, forgetting all about his moments of failure. He knew that God just wanted him to do well, to put it right, and continue with fellowship. We desperately need to hear these same words, especially in times when we are likely to hear the Accusers’ voice saying, “You see. You messed up again. You’ll never get it right. You are a failure in front of God. Don’t you know that He demands perfection? Why should you keep trying? It’s useless.”
The Accuser wants you to buy that bit about perfection. He is not interested in God’s practical advice. He wants you to think that you just can’t do it. Then he will lead you toward discouragement, anger and violent action. But God just wants you to go fix it. How simple is that? No divine frowns. No pointing fingers. Just sound advice. Come back with the right stuff and things will be fine.
So, what do you think? Want to listen to those voices that keep you discouraged? Or would you rather come back with the right attitude and action? Get out of your head. Go do what you need to do. God’s waiting.
