Let God Answer the Doorbell

By cracky, Buttercup, you gotta git that there chair pulled up here real quick-like an’ be ‘a-swattin’ that there mosquito off’n your knee ‘cause we’re ‘bout to be ‘a-wadin’ knee-deep into a real truth thicker than sorghum molasses on a cold biscuit. Genesis 4:7 done tells us, “Sin is ‘a-crouchin’ at the door, eager to control you, but you must subdue it and be its master.” That there verse is like one of those lil’ ol’ barn cats that done stares at you from the rafters ‘a-remindin’ you that somethin’ is always ‘a-lurkin’ even when you be ‘a-thinkin’ you’re done all alone.

Now let me be ‘a-tellin’ you, Buttercup, the Christian life can feel a whole lot like you be ‘a-walkin’ across a pasture full o’ cranky, mean-hearted ol’ geese. You’re ‘a-thinkin’ everything is real peaceful, then suddenly one of those lil’ ol’ feathery hooligans comes ‘a-hissin’ and a flappin’. That’s ‘zactly how sin done behaves itself.

My neighbor, who was once ‘a-nappin’ outside on his hammock, done woke up to an ol’ chicken snake ‘a-starin’ him down like he done owed it rent money. That ol’ snake was done six feet long and mad as a wet hen. Well, my neighbor done related to me that he done ran inside his house faster than a squirrel who done jus’ remembered where he buried his last pecan. And that’s how sin done tries to be ‘a-catchin’ us, right when we’re ‘a-relaxin’ and a-soakin’ up the sunshine.

Cain done learned that very lesson the real hard way in Genesis 4:7. God basically told him, “Listen here, Buttercup, you better git a handle on yourself ‘cause sin is ‘a-crouchin’ like a bobcat behind the chicken coop.” Peter said the same thing in 1 Peter 5:8, warnin’ us that the devil is ‘a-prowlin’ ‘round and ‘a-lickin’ his ol’ lips like a lion ‘a-lookin’ for someone to devour. Not nibble on. Not take a lil’ ol’ sample from. But really devour, you know, eat all up. But Peter didn’t say to panic. He said to stay alert jus’ like one o’ them there lil’ ol’ deer that done jus’ heard a twig snap.

The good news is that Psalm 34:17 done reminds us that “The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help.” So, the next time sin done comes ‘a-knockin’, you jus’ git to ‘a-hollerin’, “Lord, would You mind ‘a-gettin’ that there door? I am a-standin’ in Your strength today.”

Father, be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-stayin’ real alert, steady, and rooted in You. When sin comes a-creepin’ in like a possum in the moonlight, be ‘a-remindin’ me to be ‘a-callin’ on You first. Strengthen me to be ‘a-walkin’ in Your truth and ‘a-trustin’ in Your power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, I done be declarin’, Buttercup, as you git ta’ headin’ back out into this ol’ wild world, you gotta be ‘a-rememberin’ that sin may be crouchin’ like a lil’ ol’ fox ‘a-eyein’ the henhouse, but your God is ‘a-standin’ taller than a pine tree in a thunderstorm. He’s real steady when you go to wobblin’, strong when you go to tremblin’, and faithful when you go to forgettin’. So, be ‘a-keepin’ walkin’, ‘a-keepin’ watchin’, and ‘a-keepin’ leanin’ on Him. And if’n you be ‘a-hearin’ somethin’ ‘a-hissin’, be ‘a-checkin’ everything over twice ‘a-fore you to sit back down again.

With joy,

Gwen