Don't Sell Out!
One puzzling person in the Bible is Jacob's brother, Esau. Have you ever wondered how he could have forfeited his birthright for a pot of stew? It seems incredible; yet some of you may be dangerously close tonight to giving in to the same temptation: exchanging your priceless inheritance in Christ for a "quick fix" from the world.
To better understand what you might be going through, let's consider Esau. What was his state of mind? What wore him down? The Bible tells us he came in from the field so tired that he felt he was going to die.
"And Esau said to Jacob, 'Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.'...But Jacob said, 'Sell me your birthright as of this day.' And Esau said, 'Look, I am about to die; so what profit shall this birthright be to me?'...So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils..." (Genesis 25:30-34, NKJV).
Are you so exhausted tonight from working "in the field" that you feel like you'll die if you don't get quick relief? When you reach that point, you may not care where that relief comes from as long as your discomfort is alleviated, and you may moan, "I don't have the strength or energy to seek the Lord; I just need a "quick fix."
Please don't give in to this dangerous temptation. Hunger and fatigue are two of Satan's most powerful weapons. Continue to stand on what God has promised you. You'll never regret it!
God loves you and wants to answer your prayer. Say this prayer with me:
Heavenly Father, I praise You for the rich inheritance I have in Your Son. Help me to gain self-control over exhaustion, hunger and frustration, so when I feel like I'm "going to die," I'll remember who I am in You and the promises You have given me. Help me to stand, and not to sell out! In Jesus' Name, Amen.