Happy Monday! It’s July 15, 2024. Congratulations to the 62 who were baptized this weekend at New Hope West! And happy 50th anniversary to my wife, Anna. She has stuck with me and hasn’t traded me in for a newer model… not yet, anyway! Today’s scripture is a tough lesson and is more crucial than you’d think. Read on, but read slowly…
Today's Reading:
Isaiah 22,23,24; Hebrews 12
Scripture
“See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done” (Hebrews 12:16-17)
Observation
We’ve all heard the story of Esau, who gave up what was in store for him as the oldest son. He let his appetite cause him to forfeit something far better than that which was only temporarily satisfying. And even though he recognized his error and regretted his actions, the window to that greater blessing had closed.
Application
God has so much in store as our inheritance. However, many choose to satisfy a fleshly or sexual appetite in exchange for something far greater. Esau did that, and even though he regretted his choice and sought its return with tears, the window to that portion had closed.
We have been taught that “God will always forgive.” That teaching is correct. However, choosing evil or stubbornness over God’s ways can deplete portions of our inheritance. Why? Because we traded it to gain something temporary. We gambled God’s best to fulfill a temporary appetite.
Think of this: What if Joseph had given in and slept with Potiphar’s wife? Would God have forgiven him if he repented? Absolutely. However, would he have been promoted anyway? Would Potiphar have recommended him for leadership, and would he have become a Pharaoh in Egypt?
Probably not.
Don’t trade an eternal promise for temporary pleasure. When we do, we use up the potential that could have brought a brighter future.
We bartered our potential for pleasure. We swapped the now for the forever.
Bad trades.
God’s forgiveness wipes the slate clean, but we could very well end up with a smaller slate!
Prayer
Lord, please teach me to avoid the errors before I make them! Show me how to build guardrails and follow the well-lit paths of Your Spirit. Thank You for Your forgiveness, but thank You also for wisdom and obedience … so that I don't have to experience the tears and regret.
"The wise person sees the danger and takes refuge,
but the foolish keep going and pay the penalty." -Prov. 22:3
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