A Sister’s Keeper :

One of the blessed roles God has given me is the role of a sister. Anyone who knows me personally knows that I am a protective sister, and I am incredibly grateful to God for my siblings. Each week as the Lord leads, I will be writing about the different battles we may face on the earth, and how we must look to the Lord for victory. Let’s study about the Sister’s keeper qualities we must live by today.

And the LORD said unto Cain, where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? Genesis 4:9, KJV

Abel was a keeper of sheep, and his older brother Cain was a tiller of the ground. In the process of time when it came to offer to the Lord , Cain offered fruits and Abel gave the finest of his firstborn flock.

The Bible says in Genesis 4:4-5 that when Cain saw that the Lord was pleased by his brother’s offering, the former was hostile.

The Lord warned Cain, and yet Cain went ahead and committed murder. It is after the act that the Lord asks him the question in verse 9- “Cain, where is your brother.”

Cain’s hard hearted, chilling reply is the very topic of today’s post.

The Battles within sisterhood

Who is a Sister’s Keeper?

Anyone who is willing to accept and carry prayerful responsibilities of their fellow brother or sister selflessly and wholeheartedly. No violent acts are ever committed to destroy their sister’s lives.

7 excellent Sister’s Keeper qualities:

1. A sister is not jealous of her sibling’s calling:

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:8

Cain was jealous of Abel at how the Lord was pleased with his brother.

Have we belittled our sisters in Christ who have chosen to be stay at home moms, or have a unique style of parenting, or who are still single?

Do we alienate people because of the color of their skin?

How do we treat those whose wombs are still waiting upon the Lord, or who have lost their loved ones?

Are we jealous of other sister’s achievements?

2. A sister does not complain about her sibling to parents, or other friends

But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Jesus and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Luke 10:40

Martha wanted to serve food to the Lord, but Mary wanted to worship the Lord.

So, what did a distracted Martha do? She complained to the guest.

Have we allowed the problems within our homes to be aired publicly instead of taking it to the Lord?

Remember, the Lord is a KEEPER and stood up for Mary.

3.A Keeper is protective of her sibling’s welfare:

Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes the disgrace [of his taunting] from Israel? 1 Samuel 17:22-35

Young David was sent by his father to bring meal for his older brothers and bring back news about them. As David reaches the camp, he hears the challenge put forth by a giant named Goliath.

So, when all the other trained men turned out to be cowards, this is what young David decides to do? He decides to face the giant and kill Goliath who defied the armies of the Living God.

David was the youngest and yet proved to be a keeper of his older brothers.

4. Sister’s keeper pursues peace, and build one another up.

So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth] Romans 14:19,AMP

The relationship between Naomi and Ruth in the book of Ruth always warms my heart. Two widows! One a mother-in-law and the other a daughter-in-law. Yet Naomi makes sure to find an extended relative for Ruth to marry again. Boaz was the kinsman redeemer. In a world where there is so much mistreatments , Naomi treated her daughter-in-law with respect .

Stigma in a society towards those we think are not similar to us is the very cause of hurts, hatreds, and hostility.

5.A sister’s keeper does not render evil for evil.

Even when Peninnah targeted Hannah, the latter made sure to release her sorrows in front of the Lord. I Samuel 1:2,6 .

Has someone targeted you and your family recently? Did it make you run to the presence of the Lord? I pray so.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.

Live in peace with each other.1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

6.A sister’s keeper admonishes in love and not in contempt

To admonish means to correct someone lovingly and guide them in the right path.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6,KJV

If your brother sins and disregards God’s precepts, solemnly warn him; and if he repents and changes, forgive him. Luke 17:3, AMP

“YOU IS KIND, YOU IS SMART, YOU IS IMPORTANT “

This is my most favorite line and it is in the book and movie called “the Help” where a beautiful African American maid, Aibileen Clark, tells these words to the little toddler girl she nannys, Mae Mobley even when Aibileen was wrongfully framed by the girl’s mother.

Every day we have the power to extend love and not hatred. Let us choose love!

7.A sister’s keeper prays, carries burdens, and intercedes daily for her loved ones.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16, ESV

Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, “O God, heal her, I pray!” Numbers 12:13.KJV

This is a  cry of a dear brother for his sister Miriam’s leprosy from the Lord. Miriam decided to speak against Moses who had married an Ethiopian woman. Yet her brother Moses pleaded for healing.

—Have we formed groups/cliques and sidelined our sisters and brothers in Christ just because they are not one of us?

The next time a family member revolts against us, let us pray and intercede for that person and ask the Lord to forgive them.

Reflection:

-Have we buried our sister in a pile of hatred, and jealousy?

-If God were to ask us, ……… where is your sister? What would our reply be?

-How have we handled our rage against our helpless sister or brother in their time of need?

We may not be a complete keeper of anyone on this earth, but we are forbidden from committing any acts of violence, mistreatment, or slander.

The Lord heard the cry of Abel’s blood asking for justice. I have goosebumps just typing that.

The cries of those who we have knowingly wounded have reached the Lord’s ears. Justice belongs to the Lord.

Let us vow to use that sickle instead to plant seeds of joy, friendship, love, and forgiveness towards our fellow sisters.

Until we meet again here,

A sister’s Keeper,

Diana 

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