The Roots and Dangers of Misperceptions

It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. Then David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father. 2 Samuel 10:1,2 NKJV

This was the second time David desired to show kindness to someone because of the relationship he had with their father. The first time it was for the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth initially feared David as it was the custom of new kings to completely annihilate the families of former kings. But once he realized David’s intent was to show kindness to him, he became the recipient of extravagant benevolence. The second time, David sent servants to comfort a new king whose father had died. But the servants of this new king were suspicious of David’s motives and shared the suspicions with Hanun. He accepted their view and proceeded to mistreat David’s servants. This lead to war! How sad when wrong actions come on the heels of wrong perspectives.

As a child of God, it is imperative that I guard my thoughts toward others. I have found that because of personal issues and unattended wounds from the past, that I can have a distorted view and misperception of another person’s actions, motives, and agenda. If I am not careful and prayerful I will respond to my perception rather than to the truth of that person. I will back away from relationships that were meant for good. I will miss valuable lessons because I am unable to hear what the person is trying to tell me. My suspicions will crowd out God’s intended blessing through the individual. If not kept in check, my thoughts will eventually lead me to say and do things I will deeply regret later on…..unless pride steps in as well.

I don’t like this part of myself but I am learning the importance of acknowledging it so that God can begin a work of transformation in me. It becomes a daily discipline of asking God to show me my own heart, help me to discern when my opinion of another is wrong, and even help me to see when the enemy of my soul is at work whispering lies to me. If that is the case we work on the heart issue and renounce the lies. If my perceptions are correct, we work on entrusting the individual to God. Either way I am brought into closer relationship with a loving, heavenly Father who definitely wants the best for me.

Father, I don’t want to miss another thing that was intended for my good. Help me to know my heart, know the truth, and know the freedom that will come from both. Amen.

Whose Opinion Matters?

And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. II Samuel 6:16 KJV

How easy it is to be misunderstood and even disliked for God’s work in your life. Because people are limited to what they see and cannot discern the heart of another, they can come to a wrong conclusion about your Christian life. This makes sense when it comes from someone who is not a Christian, but it is sometimes hard to digest when it is coming from those within the walls of a church and the body of Christ.

David was despised for his jubilant expression of joy and praise. All his wife, Michal, could conclude was that his behavior was unacceptable and inappropriate. It wasn’t something she would do therefore in her mind it wasn’t something he should do. What was David’s reaction? He did not allow her opinion to become his barometer for behavior. He knew his heart and it was connected to an extravagant God! While he could not persuade her to change her view, he also refused to allow her to dampen his celebration! God’s opinion was the only one that mattered.

Jesus was often misunderstood and criticized for his actions…even his performing of miracles. The religious leaders of His day were constantly watching him and drawing wrong conclusions. Pride and jealousy made them blind and unreceptive to His deity. What should have been undeniable proof that the Messiah had come, became grounds for their rejection of Him. What did Jesus do? Sometimes He walked in silence and other times He used words to silence them. He refused to allow their fears and prejudices to rob Him of one moment of obedience to His Father. Once again, God’s opinion was the only one that mattered.

In the fall of 2004, I experienced the back lash of people who could not discern the work of God in my life. They had an idea of how the Christian life should be lived and I was no longer fitting into their mold. For the first time in my life I was living connected to God, experiencing freedom, devouring Scripture, and excited about my faith and my God. I had stepped outside the box of public opinion and what made others comfortable. While many rejoiced with me, others condemned me. To this day their looks of disgust and coldness of shoulders is perceived and felt. What do I do? I stay connected to God on a daily basis and live my life according to His voice, His Word, His Spirit, and His leading. People have a right to their opinions, but no one but God has a right to dictate how I should live out my relationship with Him. Once again, God’s opinion is the only one that matters!

Father, it is difficult and sometimes lonely to climb out on a limb with You. Thank you for the ones who have sat with me, prayed for me, and cried with me. I look to You alone to define and direct me. Amen.

All That Rests on Me

Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. Psalm 56:12 KJV

Often are the times I will read a verse and marvel that I have never seen it before. While I know I have read it in the past, the rich meaning escaped me. Today’s verse is one example. It has caused me to review the many things of God that are upon me. His hand, His eye, His blessing, His Spirit, His power, His shadow, His anointing. And this morning I add to that precious list His vows….His promises. They rest on me and stay with me. They affect the way I view and live my life. No wonder the psalmist responded in praise!

I love to hear a blessing being prayed over me. Whether in the midst of a congregation or in the presence of one individual, the words touch my spirit. Once spoken, they impact my life. And to think that God’s promises are not only upon me but they have been spoken over me by God Himself. His promises of companionship, empowerment, guidance, protection, provision, direction, involvement, intervention, permanence, forgiveness, watchfulness, deliverance, and unconditional, unchanging love.

Last fall, I visited a couple who were my first pastor and wife. She was present when I was birthed into God’s family. God influenced me greatly through them. As a teenager, they spoke many things to me through their words as well as their lives. But as an adult in my late 40’s I desired a spoken blessing. I will never forget the experience of kneeling in their living room as my former pastor prayed a blessing over me while their hands rested upon me.

This morning I want to envision the same thing happening with myself and God. Kneeling in His presence and hearing His blessings and promises being spoken over me and remaining upon me. Drinking in His words as He brings Scripture after Scripture to mind that begin with the phrase, “I will!” The weight of His hand and the look in His eyes will add much to the wonder of His words.

Father, Your written Word is Your spoken word to me. May I daily walk with the awareness that Your vows are upon me. Amen.

Necessary Placement

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:2 Amplified Bible

I like how the Message puts this verse. “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ.” I cannot afford to let my guard down when it comes to the affections of my heart and the meditations of my mind. For the minute I stop filtering my thoughts through the grid of God’s truth I set myself up for a downward spiral. The minute I allow the enemy to distract me by dwelling on the thoughts he presents to me I am in trouble. Those things I spend my time and energy thinking on will either strengthen me or weaken me in my body, soul, and mind.

Just like the children of Israel kept living out their days in a cycle mode of idolatry, captivity, repentance, deliverance, and rest, the cycles of my mind can spin out of control as well. For me, it works like this. I take in truth and stand in that for a while. The enemy comes along and introduces any number of thoughts to me. At first I see the attacks and proceed to rebuke them. The trouble comes when I let down my guard and begin to consider the thoughts. Not for a moment. Not for a while. But rather for unlimited time. It is an “all you can think” buffet! I have now set my mind on his distorted views and interpretations and very quickly I am filled with hopelessness, discouragement, self-loathing, and helplessness. The sense of abandonment by people and invisibility to God sets in and I find myself in quite a mental and spiritual mess. As if that is not enough, the enemy then begins to condemn me for being in such a place. I am in further trouble if he can convince me this is all my own doing.

My deliverance comes as God reveals to me that the enemy is at work and I will only regain my strength and footing by renouncing the lies, voicing the truth, and once again setting my mind, heart, and affections on God! This includes confessing my lack of trust and acknowledgement of who God really is. It also includes once again proclaiming Him to be my only true Source, Help, and Hope.

Father, my dark thoughts have once again given way to the light of You! I don’t stand a chance of surviving apart from connecting with You, relying on You, and looking to You. Hold me, help me, and heal me. Amen.

A Change of Heart

And Jacob noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him was not what it had been. Genesis 31:2 (NIV)

Have you ever had a “Laban experience” in your life? It is hard when you realize someone you once felt close to no longer looks at you in the same way. Where once you enjoyed friendship and favor you now feel left out and unwelcome. Conversations are strained and warmth is no longer felt when you are together. Jacob knew that feeling with Laban and David knew that feeling with King Saul. God is helping me to come to some understanding as to what brings about such changes.

I can think back to various relationships that turned sour. Some of the changes were due to my own actions. Through something I did or said the relationship dissolved. Sometimes I was aware of what I did and sometimes I wasn’t. But when it was all said and done, the person chose to step out of my life and we just went our separate ways.

For the longest time, I thought anytime a relationship fell apart I must have done something to cause it. If it was a highly significant person in my life the loss would be quite painful. Not only would I spend time grieving the loss of their friendship but I would continually kick myself for having blown it plus torture myself trying to figure out how I had blown it. I don’t have to tell you the enemy of my soul took great delight in my misery. It never occurred to me that the problem might not be me after all….at least not in every case.

Recently, God was gracious enough to enlighten me on a truth I was missing. Sometimes the relationship falls apart because of something that is going on in the life of the other person. It could be a character flaw, a personal change, or a withdrawal that they have initiated for their own personal reasons. Laban’s and Saul’s change of attitude came out of jealousy. Whatever the reason, this can be the most painful way to see a relationship change.

If I was the one who damaged the friendship I must be willing to do what I can to make things right. But if the other person has just had a change of heart toward me, I will need to trust God to redeem what needs to be redeemed. In the mean time I must begin looking to God for the acceptance and approval I have been craving from them.

Father, thank you for having an unchanging heart toward me. Amen.

Claiming or Proclaiming the Promise

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 (NKJV)

For the believer, both aspects of this verse are theirs to experience in life. Weeping is a reality for each one of us and joy is the promise we know will come to pass. If I had the opportunity to visit with any one of you, I know that you would be able to share with me many nights of weeping that you have faced. Some of you may be experiencing them even as you read this devotional. If so, I give to you the promise of coming joy! Some of you are experiencing that joy right now and you are attesting to the truth of that promise. Which ever the case may be, David has an exceptional list in Psalm 30 that can be our proclamation of praise! We can say it with anticipation of the coming joy or with gratitude for the present reality of that joy. Will you join me as I express to God the truth of what He HAS done or the truth of what He WILL do? For we are either seeing what’s coming or experiencing it right now! Either way we glory in Him. With that in mind, let’s review the list.

I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up! You healed me! You brought my soul up out of the grave! You have kept me alive! You have made my mountain to stand strong! You have turned my mourning into dancing! You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness! Therefore, I will give You thanks forever! Oh, how I would love to hear the stories behind those proclamations!

And for those of you who are still in your night of weeping, your list would be spoken in the future tense. I will extol You, O LORD, for You will lift me up! You will heal me! You will bring my soul up out of the grave! You will keep me alive! You will make my mountain to stand strong! You will turn my mourning into dancing! You will put off my sackcloth and clothe me with gladness! Therefore, even in the midst of my tears, I will give You thanks forever! How precious that some of you will express those thoughts with broken hearts and tear-filled eyes. May your joy be soon forthcoming!

Like you, I have known the weeping and the joy! In the midst of both He is worthy to be praised and I trust Him still.

Father, You have walked with me through sorrow and danced with me in gladness. I desire no other Partner but You! Amen.

Our Hiding Place

But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself. I Samuel 19:2 KJV

Where do you resort to when your world is turned upside down? Maybe like David, you are experiencing a devastating change in a close relationship. Maybe you have been handed a medical diagnosis that felt more like a death sentence. Maybe everything that is dear to you has been suddenly ripped out of your life. Whatever the case may be, Jonathan’s words to David are meant for you as well….abide in a secret place and hide thyself.

David eventually penned words that revealed where he learned to safely abide. Psalm 91:1 says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Jesus urges us to abide in Him and in His love.

Abiding has the idea of making a certain place your abode. A place to sit, rest, and dwell. It is the equivalent of a spiritual Calgon commercial! Although we may not be able to physically remove ourselves from a certain place or situation, our spirit can always choose to resort to a secret place under the shadow of the Almighty. To draw in close enough to God that His presence, peace, and person overshadows you and all that is affecting your world.

Throughout Scripture God gives us visuals of being that close to Himself. A mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings. An eagle hovering over her young. Other pictures come to mind of this tender aspect of God. A mother or grandmother cradling an infant in their arms. A person of strength and compassion embracing and holding a grieving friend. The hushed tones, gentle touch, and caring eyes all directed toward a person in need.

But God is also a fortress, stronghold, shelter, and bulwark. A place that is completely safe and unable to be disturbed. One that keeps all storms at bay and hinders them from completely destroying our internal world.

Strength and tenderness! Two aspects of our God who desires for us to seek refuge and comfort in Him.

Father, may my place of hiding and abiding always be in You! Amen.