For The Moment

Wk 2 Day 3

Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

Genesis 25:32
"Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"


Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.

// THOUGHTS:

I've never given so much thought on this before, but it has simple but profound truths:
.. Esau gave away his birthright due to hunger (a physical need at the moment)
.. His birthright was an important part of him, but exchanged it with something "for the moment"

Proverbs 14:8 reminds me of this story because a prudent man gives thoughts to his ways... but at this time, Esau was acting like a fool by exchanging what was most important with what was "for the moment"

// BELLE:

This is a similar story when I was too focused on the "for the moment" things in life before I became a believer.  I exchanged the most important things with the things that only lasts for a moment, and not only it didn't last, but it brought hurt that lasts a long time.  Praise God for salvation, His deliverance, and His unending mercy that I have now realized the importance of thinking through before acting upon things or giving into things. 

Esau gave his birthright away because of a physical need at that moment - hunger.  He could've waited and let his "dark night" of hunger pass for a moment to get his meal with a little bit of sacrifice; instead of exchanging his birthright just so he can get satisfied physically (food). 

Principles:
_always give thought before deciding
_don't give in to "for the moment" satisfactions in exchange for the important things
_decisions cannot be made at times of urgency (like hunger, or when in anger, etc)
_wait a little; settle down when the mind is at rest for a good decision to make

.. No impulsive decisions for me.  I must give thought to the things that is most important and not cater to the "for the moment" urgencies especially when I start acting like a foolish person - "what good is this to me? I am hungry (this is my need now!)."  I must be prudent (careful, sensible, cautious, shrewd, thinking twice)

// LORD, you know the things that I need.  I want to put you first in all things because You are the most important of all that I need.  You are ALL that I need.  Help me to build up my skills in being prudent by applying these truths in all things - big or small.  Guide me always as You do and help me to be sensitive to Your leading only - not my own or other people's, but Yours alone.  In Jesus' name, amen.