My Worship Corner

by Camila DeFaria

Today’s Youtube Playlist

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:2

This morning my Bible reading was in Genesis 24 and 25, but I was stopped in my tracks when I reached Genesis 25:29–34. This is the moment where Esau comes in from the field and says to Jacob, “I am dying of hunger—give me some of that stew.” But was he really dying? No. He was weary, yes. He was uncomfortable, yes. But he wasn’t dying. Still, in that moment, he surrendered to his flesh. He traded away his birthright for a bowl of stew, and the Bible says that by doing this, Esau despised the blessing of God.

That word despised hit me hard. It’s not just that Esau was careless. Scripture says he treated God’s blessing with contempt. And I had to ask myself: how many times do I do the same? How often do I trade away the eternal for something temporary, because I want relief right now? The truth is, if we don’t choose to live the way God has called us to live now, life will eventually force us into it. One way or another, His will prevails because He is sovereign. But His heart isn’t that we obey only when pain or circumstances press us down. He invites us to willingly walk in obedience today.

The purpose of God is greater than our desires. If we call ourselves sons and daughters of God, then He will direct our paths in a way that, in the end, His plans will stand. So why not surrender now? Why not endure the “suffering” of saying no to the flesh, so that our lives can be aligned with His will, rather than waiting for brokenness to force us into alignment?

I can’t help but think of Samson. God’s word says Samson was set apart from birth to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines (Judges 13:5). God had great plans for him, but Samson chose a life of compromise, chasing after what pleased his flesh. Over and over, he lived for what he wanted instead of what God wanted. Until one day, the Bible says the Spirit of God had left him, and he found himself powerless in the hands of his enemies (Judges 16:20–21).

Yet even there, blind, in captivity, mocked by those he was meant to defeat, God still used him. In his final moment of surrender, Samson called out to the Lord, and God gave him the strength to strike down more Philistines in his death than he had in his life (Judges 16:30).

But imagine if he had chosen differently. Imagine if he had daily submitted himself to God instead of living for self-gratification. His whole life could have been a testimony of victory, not just his final breath. He could have lived blessed, prosperous, and powerful in the Lord every single day.

That’s the invitation for us too. Don’t wait until you’re broken to submit to God. Don’t wait until circumstances leave you powerless to realize your need for Him. Let’s learn from Esau and Samson’s mistakes, who rushed to satisfy their flesh. Let’s learn from Jesus’ victory, who kept His eyes on the prize, fully surrendered to the Father’s will.

Let this be our prayer today, to live rooted in the will of God, seeking Him, being led by the Spirit, and trusting that even in the worst circumstances, we are not dying, for death has been defeated but we are being refined, for His Glory!

Stay connected to the Vine. He will lead you out, and He will deliver you.