Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

20 January 2026

Reading From Genesis 25-26

“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!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

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

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.”

—Genesis 25:29-34

     There are a myriad of distractions in our lives that would seek to pull our attention away from who we are in Christ, our identity in Him and our inheritance through Him.  Esau was physically hungry, caught up in his immediate, temporary desires, and it cost him something far more valuable in the long term.  He eventually regretted it, but at that time in his life when he sold his birthright, he did not value it as he should have. 

HALT is a helpful acronym.  We are most vulnerable to temptation when we are hungry, angry, lonely and/or tired.  When one or more of these conditions are present, that is when we must be extra vigilant to remain faithful to the Lord.

“Lord Jesus, thank You that You are our Great High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.  Help us to resist temptation.  I pray that You would strengthen our resolve to continue in the faith and endure to the end.  Life, abundant and eternal, is our inheritance in You along with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.  May we stay strong and press onward toward the goal of the completion of our salvation.  In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

—Matthew 26:41