" RETROSPECTION "

Have you had to pause and review one or more events in your past? Have you said to yourself what was I thinking!

Maybe it's time we learn how to let God guide our life and place His Will ahead of our own. I'm reminded of an account in the Word of God, with major consequences. Do you remember the story of Isaac, he inherited all that his father acquired in life including God's promise to make his descendants into a great nation. Isaac pleaded with God for children as his wife Rebekah was barren, and the Lord answered. It's very important that we seek the face of the Lord before we make any decision. When we don't ask for God's opinion we never know what we're going to get.

Isaac's son Esau was born just before his younger brother Jacob, and therefore he received the family Birthright. It included a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honor of one day becoming the family's leader.
I believe that all of us have heard that we must be careful of what we ask for, as we just might get it.

Now Esau seems to be the kind of guy who doesn't think past the end of his nose. One who lives for the moment and then he attempts to adapt to the situation at hand.
I think I mentioned that God allows certain events in our lives to accomplish his overall purposes, but we are still responsible for our own actions. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, and Jacob is described as a peaceful man living in tents. Esau came home one day from hunting and he was famished, his brother Jacob had cooked a stew. Esau said please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there. Jacob responded "first sell me your birthright." Remember that a birthright was a special honor that was given to the first born son. The oldest son had the right to sell his birthright or give it away if he chose, but in so doing, he would lose both material goods and his leadership position.
Esau traded the lasting benefits that came with his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food. He acted on impulse, satisfying his immediate desires without pausing to consider the long-range consequences of what he was about to do.

We can fall into the same trap. When we see something we want, our first impulse is to get it. Esau showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way if he had kept it. In effect, "despised" his birthright. Please take the time to include the Father into all of your decision making. How often have you heard me say "TRUST GOD"

Until next time.

Jim