Daily Devotionals for Women - Today's Encouraging Word from Scripture

SEAL, MARKING OR TATTOO?

“If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him.” Genesis 4:15

And orphan is one who must see to his own needs. He is not under the care and protection of anyone. As a child of God, I often live like, and feel like, an orphan. I forget that God’s seal has been put on me for all eternity; a mark of ownership. God has placed Himself in a position to meet all of my needs.

Cain murdered his brother, Abel Now, God banishes him from his land and sends him away. He fears retribution from the rest of his family and expresses his fear to God. In the midst of judgment, God shows mercy to Cain and puts a mark on him that will prevent anyone from attacking him. Theologians suggest that it is a tattoo of some kind.

This is what a king does. He decrees, wills, and seals it with a stamp of authenticity. In the ancient world, a seal could be found on a ring, or it hung from someone’s neck on a string. The seal was covered with ink and used like a present-day stamp. A document might be sealed, or a seal might be put on the door of a house or tomb to show that it had been secured and visited by someone of authority.

King Darius even put his seal on the stone that trapped Daniel in the den of lions. It showed all who passed by that his purposes for Daniel’s execution couldn’t be changed.

Lest I feel alone today, uncared for in any way, I need only remember that I am marked in a way that the whole spiritual world can see. I’ve been stamped, imprinted with a seal that no one can revoke. God has made sure that all my enemies know that I am His property and nothing can change my status. Even though I sin, God is not tempted in any way to banish me. I am not Cain! Jesus paid the price for all my sins and gave me His Spirit as proof of my adoption. I may often feel like an orphan but I am not!

Does this change my emotional response to sin? Oh yes! Paul said, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Eph. 4:30 Why would I want to injure my relationship with the Spirit of God when His seal upon me is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever received!

The enemy can’t kill me, because I’m your property. When He comes to accuse me and stir up hopelessness, I’ll remind him to take a good look at my mark of redemption! Amen.

For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org