GUARD YOUR BIRTHRIGHT
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:31-34 (KJV)
This week, I have found myself tempted, attacked and discouraged more than normal weeks. In my weakest moment, there’s always a thought to cave into the pressures, numb instead of fighting, take an easy way out, and not do the right thing, which is usually the difficult thing. Sometimes, so many people fall into some destructive sin or fall away; I worry about how I can stay strong and not ruin everything in a moment of weakness. Esau was a prime example of this. His cravings and desires caused him to make a terrible mistake. He gave up his birthright for a bowl of soup. A birthright meant the right to the land, the people, and the promises of God. All of that for a bowl of soup. We are surprised and even judgmental of his decision, but none of us are completely free from the desires and cravings of this world. I love what one commentator said:
History shows that men prefer illusions to realities, choose time rather than eternity, and the pleasures of sin for a season rather than the joys of God forever. Men will read trash rather than the Word of God, and adhere to a system of priorities that leaves God out of their lives. Multitudes of men spend more time shaving than on their souls; and multitudes of women give more minutes to their makeup than to the life of the eternal spirit. Men still sell their birthright for a mess of things.
If you find yourself tempted or if you find yourself distracted, then I invite you to slow down. Break away for a moment, go for a walk, sit in your favorite chair and remember what matters most. Live for eternity. Whenever a discouragement or temptation comes my way, I remind myself don’t sell your birthright. Don’t trade the temporary joys of the world for the unending pleasures for eternity. Ask the Spirit of God to help you become more passionate about Him than anything this world offers. Open your heart to Him and allow Him to fill you with power and vision for the future that causes the things of this world to grow strangely dim. He will be faithful. He will do it.
APPLICATION: Don’t allow a temporary pleasure to kill the life of the Spirit in you!
PRAYER: Bring whatever you feel tempted or discouraged about to God. Be honest, and don’t hold back. He knows what's in your heart. Ask Him to take that from you and help you become more passionate about Him. Sit with Him and feel His love and delight for you.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?