The 40-Day Challenge : Day 11
- 4
- Feb
- 2013
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:31-33)
For the first time, the name of Jesus was mentioned, and this name makes all the difference because it’s not just any name…
His name is not great because of his family background — as a matter of fact, He was born into a humble family.
Everyone who would look at Him would not see an ordinary man, but Someone who was different, because of who He was. “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.”
Why the throne of David?
Because David had a heart that was after God’s Own heart, who did everything to please Him; though he was not perfect, he was permanently willing to sacrifice, to surrender himself, because he prioritised God.
He recognised his mistakes, he humbled himself, he paid the price… David never gave up.
Many times, people make mistakes and blame God. Their hearts are not after God’s heart.
David, on the other hand, is an example of a person who is teachable.
“He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.”
Why not the house of Israel?
Though Jacob was quiet, he had a different spirit. He always valued the right of the firstborn — the blessing of God. His brother, however, made little of it.
At the first opportunity, Jacob took possession of it, not because of riches or status, but because he admired the blessing his father, Isaac, had received from Abraham.
He was different because he desired to serve God.
And it’s over people like Jacob that the Lord Jesus will reign forever. Though they make mistakes, they are willing to pay the price to receive the blessing — not just a financial or sentimental blessing, but above all the presence of God Himself!
Note that neither David nor Jacob was perfect!
God does not choose ‘perfect’ people. He chooses people who turn to Him and put Him first; people who value the ‘right of the firstborn’ above all things.
And so God will reign over them.
What about you? Have you been wrestling with God and with men to take possession of the blessing of the firstborn? Or have you been fighting to conquer other blessings, or maybe to solve a problem?
Why aren’t you making a difference?
Because you are worried about your material needs…
These needs are, in fact, diverting your attention from what really matters; they are making you waste your time with what will not bring eternal results.
The right of the firstborn represents the blessing of God — salvation.
Many people despise the opportunity to have a close relationship with God, and yet say they want to have a commitment with Him…
They exchange their salvation for anything: for a plate of lentils, emotions, a boyfriend who does not care about God…
What’s your priority?
When we establish our priorities, we find out whether we are ‘Jacob’ or ‘Esau’.
Perhaps you are strong, active, ready and willing in the church (even your pastor admires you), but your relationship with God is lukewarm, lifeless.
Esau was strong on the outside, but weak on the inside.
This is why it’s important to prioritise what we cannot see…
When we prioritise something we cannot even touch, we show our inner strength. This is faith!
Faith is a living power!
I’d like you to meditate on this. I don’t know what attitudes you have taken lately, but they reveal your priorities: Your personal life? Other people? God?
Again, this reminds me of Jacob wrestling with God.
Jacob was rich; he had a wife and a good life… Why did he wrestle with God, then? Because he did not accept to be considered a ‘deceiver’, a ‘con’, as his name suggested.
He did not accept it, and so he was bold. And his life changed completely from that day on.
If you do not wrestle with God, your life will not change. You will remain the same — a ‘con’, a ‘deceiver’.
This is a personal battle between you and God.
Meditate on this. Give your life to God. But be sincere. If you do this, your life will change, and you will never be the same again…
Buhle
11th February 2014 at 18:39
Goodday Mrs Vivi
I just wanted to say thank you for allowing God to use you to write these blogs, this challenge has been such a blessing, I’ve learnt to examin myself with no emotion and to not just know God’s word but live it.
Most importantly, to put God first, from meditating about Elizabeth and her husband, I’ve learnt that I shouldn’t make things about me but put God first place, to want Him not for what He can do for me but for who He is.
Thanks again 🙂
Norma
20th August 2013 at 17:09
What caught my attention is that God does not choose ‘perfect’ people. He choose people who turn to Him and put Him first, people who value the right of the first born ‘salvation’ above all things.
I also have to know what are my priorities in life and find out whether i am Jacob or Esau.
Thank you
Sandra
5th August 2013 at 5:02
What caught my attention is when you speak about when we prioritise something that we cannot touch, that is inner strength,it faith!
Beatriz Bia
8th February 2013 at 6:12
God prioritizes those that give priority to Him, those who do not exchange their blessing (salvation) for a plate of lentils (something physical). The Lord is not looking for perfect people but for those who have a sincere desire to please him, who want the Lord above all.
Yetunde_R_Omoniyi
6th February 2013 at 7:16
The fact that Jacob FOUGHT for the birthright is because he valued what was available and Easau didn’t and this birthright is Salvation. Each and every single day I must be able to let God see the fight and desire that I have to prioritise/value my Salvation.
Sibon Phiri
5th February 2013 at 19:43
What caught my attention while reading this was how David’s heart towards God kept Him in God’s presence despite his mistakes. He took responsibility for his mistakes and that is why God could mould him and teach him. As long as my heart is in God, no matter what I go through or the mistakes I make, I will overcome it and get through because God will guide me.