Entering or Exiting?
Nearly every building contains two prominent signs: ENTRANCE and EXIT. Both are of extreme importance. Frequently these signs are painted or attached to a particular door, and often it’s the same door. The very doors you used to enter the structure may be the very doors you use to exit. And so the way the door leads you depends on which side you are standing and which direction you are headed. Doors are a means of passage from one location to another. You just open the door and walk through.
“And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16). This verse paints a dismal picture of one of the saddest happenings in the Bible. Cain exited or “distanced himself” from God’s presence and dwelt in the lonely land of Nod, which means wandering or “no-man’s land.”
Cain’s story is a tragic tale of fate. Cain was jealous because Abel was obedient to God in the way he offered his sacrifices and Cain was disobedient. Consequently, God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and rejected Cain’s. Although they both worshipped God, Abel did it God’s way and Cain did it Cain’s way. Somehow God indicated favor and blessing to Abel and disfavor and cursing to Cain. Cain’s response was wroth, anger, and bitterness. God spoke to him about his anger and attitude. “What’s the problem, Cain? You know if you worship me instead of self I’ll bless you too. Otherwise, sin waits at the door and big trouble is ahead for you.” God dealt with Cain, giving him space to repent. Cain rejected God’s invitation to get things right and surrender, to acknowledge who he was (a sinner) and who God is (holy and righteous).
Cain talked with Abel his brother in the field and ultimately killed him in cold blood. God demanded to know where Abel was, and Cain cooly responded, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The finality of it all was that Cain, the first-born son in the world, was cursed by God, marked by God, and forced to become a vagabond and wanderer living in “no-man’s land.” What tragic consequences resulted from exiting God’s presence.
Worship is the door, the passageway into God’s presence. Our attitude in worship determines whether we are ENTERING or EXITING God’s presence, whether or not we are coming in or going out. Psalm 100:2-4 declares “Serve the LORD with gladness: Come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” True worship acknowledges that the LORD is God and our Creator. It places God is His rightful place and also places us in our rightful place.
Your actions and decisions determine which direction you are headed. Are you entering or exiting the presence of God? Are you coming in or going out? Do you worship self like Cain and refuse to do it God’s way and surrender to him? Or do you worship God like Abel and obediently comply with God’s way in giving him your everything?
You stand at the doorway of Heaven’s throneroom. One side of the door is marked ENTRANCE and the other side is marked EXIT. The choice is yours: God’s blessings or God’s cursings? Far better to enter God’s presence with singing, thanksgiving, and praise like David instructs, than to exit God’s presence with rebellion, anger, and bitterness like Cain.
