Day 21: False Perceptions Generate Fear

21 Jan, 2015

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Wednesday, January 21st, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Genesis 42:18-43:34
Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36
Proverbs 4:7-10
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/KtvBXi

Commentary from Pastor Mike White:

“Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid” (Gen 42:35).

When all of Joseph’s brothers returned home, each man’s money was still in his bag! They immediately assumed that there had been some kind of mistake. Would the Egyptians think they had stolen the grain? Would they be punished for keeping the grain and their money? What price would they have to pay for this obvious error? Would they end up in prison with their brother, Simeon?

Sometimes we interpret a blessing as a bad thing. We immediately adopt fear instead of rejoicing! Joseph’s brothers assumed that Joseph would condemn them. As far as they knew, Joseph had accused them of lying, and was ready to punish them for their sins! However, that assumption was far from the truth. Joseph simply desired to bless his brothers because he loved them.

False perceptions generate fear. Joseph’s brothers should not have assumed that finding their money intact was bad. However, their false perception of Joseph caused them to believe a lie. When God blesses you, don’t assume it’s a mistake. Don’t let a false perception of Him cause you to believe a lie. Believe that God delights in you! Believe that He blesses you because He loves you, and He is good!

God’s blessings make us rich, and He adds no sorrow to it (Prov 10:22). God is a good God! He doesn’t bless you because He has to; He blesses you because He delights in you (Ps 18:19)!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for delighting in me! I know that You bless me simply because You love me. I don’t have to be afraid of punishment from You. Thank You for blessing me, and adding no sorrow to it!