OPEN HEAVEN 5 AUGUST 2018 – SAVE YOURSELF FROM SHAME!
Open Heaven 5 September 2018 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
Open Heaven 5 September 2018 Bible Reading: 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.
Open Heaven 5 September 2018 Bible in one year: Psalm 119, Mark 2:18-3:6, Hymnal: Sing hymn 4
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 become so rich that you have 400 bodyguards. The level of wealth Esau displayed at his reconciliatory meeting with Jacob also point to a life of prudence (Genesis 32:6; Genesis 33:8-9). Click To Read – Open Heaven 4 September 2018
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 favourite 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 fateful day. Esau was not saving for the rainy day; he usually went to the field to fetch venison as the need arose.
Open Heaven 5 September 2018
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 blessing in their lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us these principles in the miracle of the feeding of the multitude with 5 loaves of bread and two fish.John 6:12-13 says
“When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loves, 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:
“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 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). Click To Read – Open Heaven 3 September 2018
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.
Open Heaven 5 September 2018 Action Point
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 save and prudently invest some of your earnings.
Open Heaven 5 September 2018 Sing hymn 4
TRUST AND OBEY
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.
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.
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.
But we never can prove the
delights of His love
Until all on the alter we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the
Joy He bestows,
Are from them who will trust and
obey.
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.
