Day 3: Inheritance rights
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 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 12:15-17).
Heavenly Father, You have given us the charge, "Be holy, because I am holy" (Leviticus 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:16). So often in our human misunderstanding and shortsightedness, we interpret Your instructions as restrictive, confining, limiting...
But Your commands are caring, protective, elevating, life-preserving. And they are not burdensome (1 John 5:3), because You have given us the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us (Galatians 5:16-23).
Help us to recognize Lord, Your great love and protective care over us. The writer to the Hebrews shows us the plight of Esau who too late realized the value of safeguards, as he struggled with the consequences of disparaging his inheritance rights.
We are warned against similar godless decisions—decisions we make independently or in defiance of Your ways. You are the God who created us, the all-knowing God who not only knows all we were created to realize, but who also knows everything in this universe that can affect our lives.
Your word assures us, O God, As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him (Psalm 18:30). Help us to believe and trust You, esteeming the inheritance rights You have given us.
Thank You for giving us the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Teach us as Your children, to reflect Your glory—to be holy because You are holy. Help us to guard against defilement, bitterness, immorality, and godlessness, so that we do not fall short of Your grace.
The blessings of Your goodness—Your grace and the riches of Your inheritance—are the best things in this life and the life to come. Help us not to exchange them for poor, destructive, unhealthy meals from the pig troughs of this world—worthless, valueless, unenduring.
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