Don't Be Deceived or Deprived

Daily Reading: Genesis 27

Scripture Focus: Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing. (Genesis 27.35)

Devotional Thought: Many years ago, my mom taught me that old proverb: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I have had a hard time learning it, however. I'm like the eternally optimistic Charlie Brown who said, "This time I'm going to kick that football clear to the moon!" right before Lucy pulled the football away!

I think that Esau must have felt a little bit like Charlie Brown when he was told that his brother Jacob "came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing." Esau had, after all, already been swindled by Jacob over his birthright. Some folks never learn.

Satan is a deceiver. He deceived Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis and has been doing the same to their progeny ever since. He is called "Satan, the deceiver of the whole world" in the book of Revelation (12.9). We need to be aware of his schemes. He falsely accuses Christians. He may roar like a lion to intimidate or prowl silently to infiltrate. But whatever else may be said about him, He lies. Jesus called him "the father of lies" (John 8.44).

The world is especially susceptible to Satan's lies. But sadly, sometimes we in the church swallow his deceit. When we do that, we find that he steals our blessings: the unity of the fellowship is disrupted, the joy of the Lord fades away; the peace that passes understanding is replaced with confusion and fear; we pull away when we need to draw near...

But thanks be to God! We are not unaware of his schemes. He need not take us off guard. Be aware and be blessed!

Prayer: Father, help me to recognize the deceiver when he comes to me with his lies. Help me to turn always to the truth and live in the blessing of Jesus! Amen.

Psalm of the Day: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. (Psalm 27.1-6)