Genesis 4:13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
This passage of scripture teaches us that God also extends his protective care to those who do not fear His name, nor honor Him as God in their thinking. In this instance it was Cain, who after brutally murdering his own brother, Abel, was the recipient of several curses, which are the natural results of a disregard of God's law. After learning from the mouth of God what was to befall him, he correctly concluded that he would be a marked man for the rest of his life, and would therefore become vulnerable to the assaults of anyone who would try to take his life. And it was in this troubled state of mind that he complained that his punishment was more than he could bear.
But God is merciful, and His ear is always open unto the cry of the sinner, so that when Cain made a plea for mercy, God responded by assuring him that a mark would be placed upon him, lest anyone finding him should kill him. Thus, by this act of mercy, God demonstrates that he takes no pleasure in the death of the sinner, but will rather that we come to repentance, so that we may live a life that is in harmony with His good will for every person. However, as is so often the case, the mercies of God are frequently misinterpreted, and viewed as an entitlement by many, and thus, instead of praising Him for His great kindness to us, we often behave as if He were duty bound to deliver us in any and every situation. Let's read:
Isaiah 26:9 "For when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord.
However, it's important for us to remember that we all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God, and were it not for His mercies towards us when we are estranged from Him, none of us would be saved. Hence the reason why through His foreknowledge, He often sets in motion events which would facilitate the surrender of those who will be saved in His kingdom, by sending His angels to specially guard them, even while they have not yet accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. This aspect of God's protective care over the sinner is worthy of our utmost praise, for it is because of His mercies why we are not consumed. Let's read:
[Great Controversy pp. 589] Satan has control of all whom God does not especially guard. He will favor and prosper some, in order to further his own designs, and he will bring trouble upon others, and lead men to believe that it is God who is afflicting them.
But there is only so much God can do for the sinner while he is estranged form God, for he will not be protected forever in sin. Therefore, the take away for us is to not harden our hearts when the voice of God's entreaty speaks to us, for no one is promised tomorrow. Let us then be grateful for what God has done, and continues to do for the righteous as well as the sinner, for His kindness and watch-care over us should lead us to repentance, not to continue on in rebellion.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds us of God's kindness in protecting all of humanity, and as we face an uncertain future that is riddled with so many unfortunate circumstances, let us then trust His goodness, that all things will work together for the good of those who love God. Let's read:
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!