Related Articles
Table of Contents
Topic: Save Yourself from Shame!
Open Heavens 5 September 2018 Wednesday Daily Devotional by Pastor E A Adeboye – Save Yourself from Shame!
Memorise: “Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.”- Genesis 41:34
Read: Genesis 27:1-10(KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.
Bible in One Year: Psalm 119, Mark 2:18-3:6
OPEN HEAVENS 5 SEPTEMBER 2018 WEDNESDAY MESSAGE:
The story of Esau and Jacob in today’s Bible reading contains a salient lesson we are often oblivious to. Not only was Esau irrational in his disposition to life in his younger days, he was also not prudent enough. I believe he eventually learnt his lesson, even though he learnt it the hard way. It takes prudence to be so rich that you have 400 bodyguards. The level of wealth Esau displayed at his reconciliatory meeting with Jacob also points to a life of prudence (Genesis 32:6, Genesis 33:8-9). However, the salient lesson I want you to be mindful of today is that Esau had no reservoir of meat. If Esau had been preserving his meat for ready-to-cook use, he would not have needed to go so far before preparing his father’s favorite meal. While he was living from hand to mouth, his brother had enough in his flock to spare in case of emergencies, such as the need which arose on that faithful day. Esau was not saving for the rainy day; he usually went to the field to fetch venison as the need arose. Unfortunately, his lifestyle of not saving enough made him susceptible to the tricks of his brother and mother. It is very important that children of God learn how to prudently conserve God’s blessings in their lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us this principle in the miracle of the feeding of the multitude with 5 loaves of bread and two fishes. John 6:12-13 says:
“12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.”
This is also why the Bible enjoins us to learn from the ant. Not only is it hardworking, it also knows how to conserve for the future. Speaking on this important truth, Proverbs 6:6-8 says:
“6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”
It’s so amazing that the ant will not eat its winter food in summer! Remember that the prodigal son spent all he had in the time of plenty and was later in want in the time of famine (Luke 15:14). Joseph’s principle of conservation in the time of plenty saved the whole middle-eastern region from terrible famine (Genesis 41:33-36). Beloved do not get swept off by the system of the world which encourages spending, even on credit, and discourages savings. Learn to save for the rainy day.
ACTION POINT: OPEN HEAVENS 5 SEPTEMBER 2018 WEDNESDAY
In order to save yourself the embarrassment of borrowing in the time of scarcity, draw up a course of action to continually save and prudently invest some of your earnings.
OPEN HEAVENS 5 SEPTEMBER 2018 WEDNESDAY HYMN 4: TRUST AND OBEY
1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Chorus:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
