Living in Nod

“So Cain left the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”  Genesis 4:16 NLT

            One of the most tragic verses in all of Scripture is found in the very first book of the Bible, the Old Testament book of Genesis. The results of leaving the presence of the Lord is to live a life in the land of Nod, a life of wandering. The familiar story of Cain and Abel is well-known even among occasional church goers. It is a story of jealousy between siblings leading to the first murder in history. It is a story of obedience and disobedience. It is a story of anger when one does not get their own way, and it is a story of the consequences when one turns their back on God doing their own thing without acknowledging who He is.

            Although this story appears at the beginning of human history, it is still found and very active in our present day. Certainly not all wanderers have murdered a brother or sister, but all who wander have rejected God in one form or another. There are two types of wanderers, those who have never accepted Christ as their Savoir, rejecting His plan of Salvation, and then there are those who are born again, but find themselves turning their backs on God by ignoring His guidance and living their life on their own terms.

            The truth of the matter is, living every day without God in your life is living in the land of Nod, the land of wandering. We were created in the image of God and made to have a relationship with Him. If we are not in a relationship with the one who made us, how could we be anything but unsatisfied with life wandering about seeking true contentment?

            Living in Nod is living outside the presence of God, but God is aware and see us even as we are not living before Him. Wherever you are today, give up your wandering by turning back to God and allow Him to lead your life. If you have never turned to God do so now and accept His Son Jesus for Salvation. Live in God’s presence and turn away from living in Nod.

Read the story of Cain and Abel: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+4%3A1-16&version=NLT