“And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city . . .” (Genesis 4:17).

Good happens to bad people because the “Father which is in heaven: . . . maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Cain was evil. He murdered his brother, but the Lord in His goodness gave him a wife. The Lord further blessed him with many capable descendants (Genesis 4:17–22).

The same Lord, however, reserves something far more special for His elect. All people enjoy sun and rain, but not all get the Lord Himself. Whereas descendants of Cain experienced many happy things, there was emptiness—a void within that only God could fill. Instead of knowing the joy of His presence, they became belligerent and boastful.

A third son, Seth, was born to Adam and Eve (Genesis 5:3)—a replacement for a slain brother. He, like Cain, also experienced good things, but “then began men to call upon the name of the LORD” (Genesis 4:26). Seth’s descendant, Enoch (5:22) was very special. Like his great . . . great grandfather before the fall, “Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:24), but unlike Adam, he apparently escaped death. He “was not; for God took him.”

The Lord showers all with mercies, but the mercy of His fellowship transcends all. The void in human hearts can only be filled when the Lord takes up residence. Jesus taught, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). He prayed, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am. . .” (John 17:24).

May we ourselves walk with the same Lord, experience Him in our hearts, and anticipate eternal fellowship with our maker. PGH