Whatever is Noble Devotional

Let’s think together about the upcoming GEMS theme, Think Right: Win the Fight!

WHATEVER IS NOBLE

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:2

Within Scripture the firstborn son carried noble rank within the family. His birthright included a double portion of the estate, leadership of the family, and other special privileges and responsibilities. Beyond the tangible, material inheritance, the heart of his birthright was spiritual blessings.

In Genesis 25, we meet Isaac and Rebekah’s sons, Esau and Jacob. Although they were twins, Esau was born first and the lawful heir to the birthright. Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said, “What good is a birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:29-33).

Philippians 3:19 is descriptive of Esau’s impulsive choice. His destiny was destruction, his god was his stomach, and his glory was in his shame. His mind was set on earthly things.

Esau hungered for the immediate satisfaction of stew, instead of God who satisfies the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). He traded in an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade for the temporal, fleeting pleasures of this world. He gratified the desires of the flesh and showed complete disregard for God’s covenant blessings. God’s Word warns us not to make the same mistake! See that no one . . . is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son (Hebrews 12:16). 

Those whose names are written in heaven, are the church of the firstborn (Hebrews 12:23). Through Christ, the firstborn of the Father and over all creation, we have been gifted an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Our true citizenship is in heaven! Are those noble thoughts at the forefront of our thinking? Or are we shortsighted, impulsive, selfish, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God? (2 Timothy 3:4)

Esau was famished and the only thing on his mind was the short-lived gratification of soup rather than the eternal glory that far outweighs our light and momentary troubles (2 Corinthians 4:17). His choice came with severe consequences. God turned Esau’s mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals (Malachi 1:3).

Think on it: What choices are you making in your famished situation? Do not be shortsighted. We need a heavenly perspective! Choose to think on whatever is noble by setting your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

Everything is about God and his glory, not us and our needs. If we always keep God at the center of our lives and minds, we will never be overcome by self-absorption.

Anthony Selvaggio

grace and peace,

Lenae