The Saddest Verse in the Bible

Genesis 4:16 has to be among the saddest verses in the Bible: "Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord..." Let that settle in for a moment. We were made to live "in" the presence of the Lord. That's the place of blessing. That's the place of life. When Jesus walked the earth His presence brought restoration and renewal everywhere He went. The blind could see, the lame walk, sins were forgiven. That's what happens when Christ is present - when He reigns or "gains mastery" in our lives. But Cain was going away from that presence. Sin had been crouching at the door, wanting to gain mastery over him, and he gave in. What a tragedy! That same tragedy is seen in the lives of so many around us. In fact, if we are all honest, we have known it in our own lives. We have given in to sin and given it mastery. It promised life, but only brought us death. But thanks be to God, that in Christ, in His presence, in His reign there is life and restoration. That's why I am encouraged today to pray like those in Acts 4 that the Lord would give me boldness to proclaim the blessed reign of Christ, so that I might see others saved from living life "away from the presence of the Lord".