Day 4 – The Race of Life – Lessons from Esau
Life is like a race, a marathon at that. To run efficiently and finish well, you must prepare for it, have a strategy, and execute your strategy effectively. Today’s bible reading teaches us three lessons from the life of Esau, which we must avoid if we are to run effectively and finish well.
- Falling Short of the Grace of God: This is a deliberate turning away from God through disobedience. This happens when we chose our own way apart from God and reject the grace of God. This could also mean any attempt to get God’s approval by your own personal efforts or good works apart from Christ (Gal. 3:3). You are also turning away from the grace of God when you are trying to achieve results by your own ways instead of depending on God.
- Having Roots of Bitterness: A root of bitterness occurs when we allow disappointments to grow into resentments. Esau allowed his disappointments to grow into resentment and bitterness towards his brother, Jacob. Roots of bitterness grow when we nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness breads jealousy, envy, dissensions, and all sorts of immorality. To be free from bitterness, we must allow the healing power of the Holy Spirit to overcome our past hurts.
- Being Unholy: This is forfeiting permanent spiritual blessings for the immediate passing fleshly gratifications. It includes placing greater worth on earthly things instead of the eternal (2 Cor. 4:18) and walking by sight instead of faith (2 Cor. 5:7). Esau trivialised the birth right and forfeited the blessing. By choosing present immediate satisfaction and pleasures, you could lose permanent spiritual blessings. Being unholy robs you of your inheritance in Christ.
To run your race effectively, you must avoid these three things that cost Esau his race. Rid yourself of every weight and sin that increase your drag and run your race with patience. Keep your gaze fixed on Jesus and draw from the grace He supplies in order to finish well with joy.
“Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith“
Hebrews 12:1-2
My prayer today – Dear Lord, keep me focused and help me overcome every distraction that comes my way in Jesus name, Amen.
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