MORNING MANNA             5/8/20

” And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. ” – Gen. 42:36

Things are not always as they appear. Sometimes, to be protected, valuable items are packaged in ways that their value cannot be seen. In certain cases that can be safer than a safe. Even so in life there are times when our natural eye cannot see the true value of things. The Tabernacle is an example. It was covered with badger skins, hiding the gold within. Even when we think of Christ it is said, “…. he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ” – Isa. 53:2. All this reminds us that we greatly err if we judge only by the outward appearance. Even so, some of our greatest blessings come to us with the appearance of something undesirable.

Sometimes what seems to be trash is treasure. Just as Paul found a treasure in his thorn we can sometimes find great benefit in our burdens. Bad times can be blessed times. Hardships can lead to happiness. Jacob said “all these things are against me” and indeed it seemed that way. It might also appear that way to you at times and in a sense even be true, but God is working behind the scenes. Paul said, ” If God be for us, who can be against us?” – Rom. 8:31. Keeping that in mind will change your outlook on everything. Since God is for us we need not fret about anything. Strictly speaking the whole world can be against you, but it matters not when you know God is for you. Psalm 118:6 “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” 

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346