Your Spiritual Journey
Faith Hall of Fame
You really have to know a lot of Bible stories if you read the book of Hebrews. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews uses a lot of character comparisons to teach his audience what they should or shouldn’t be like. For example, many know Hebrews 11 as the “Faith Hall of Fame” because it includes so many great men and women of faith. But in chapter 12 he gives a surprising, negative example, “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.” (Heb. 12:16). This may seem like a random insult to Esau, but the author actually makes a rather clever point.
Since he was writing to a congregation of Christians who were growing weary and ready to give up, he is encouraging them to think about their long-term goals and rewards! Don’t let momentary discomfort (like Esau’s hunger) cause you to lose such a great inheritance. Endure through the hardships of a faithful life so that you might experience the fullness on the other side!
We live in a world that is designed for immediate satisfaction and short-term comfort. It is literally increasingly harder for us to “keep running the race.” But for those of us who live by the Spirit, we must keep our eyes looking ahead to greater things! There is nothing here on this planet worth our abandonment of faith. No pleasure great enough nor persecution hard enough to be worth our relationship with our Heavenly Father. So today, wherever you are, fight for your faith. Don’t be like Esau, but look ahead to the glory awaiting you.
Blessings,
Houston
