TOPIC: GUARD YOUR SALVATION JEALOUSLY [DCLM DAILY MANNA 12TH AUGUST 2018 DAILY DEVOTIONAL]

TOPIC: GUARD YOUR SALVATION JEALOUSLY [DCLM DAILY MANNA 12TH AUGUST 2018 DAILY DEVOTIONAL]
Text: Genesis 25:27-34 (KJV)

Key Verse: “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (Genesis 25:32).

MESSAGE:

When King Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard and requested to take it, Naboth declined, saying: “The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee” (1 Kings 21:1-3). Though he eventually lost his life through Jezebel’s plot, it was a noble act of bravery and protection of his inheritance.

Isaac’s family was marred by ungodly preferences – Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah preferred Jacob. The children on their own did not help matters either, as the struggle for headship started from the womb. Esau’s request for pottage from his brother would have been uneventful were it not for this deep-seated rivalry. So, Jacob demanded for Esau’s birthright as an exchange for the food. Surprisingly, Esau acceded to the request and even swore to it. He got the food but lost the birthright. Today, Satan still makes demands on people, including believers, to surrender their “birthright” to him in exchange for some kind of “pottage of lentils” in the form of position, wealth or fame.

The salvation from sin that Christ brought is the greatest gift ever given by God to man. As a believer, rejoice that your name is written in heaven. Paul counted all things “but dung”, and all his sufferings as “light affliction”, because he understood what salvation meant. He was ready to pay any price to keep it.

The sad story of Esau should be an eye-opener to every heaven-bound citizen to preserve his “birthright” through watchfulness, constant prayer and obedience to the counsel of God.

Thought For The Day: Keep your “birthright” with all diligence.

Bible Reading In One Year: Jeremiah 18-22