An Imaginary Threat

                                

 Read: Genesis 33:1-4                                                      
 Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him. —Genesis 33:4                    
                                                                           
 Last spring the window to one of the rooms in our house was repeatedly    
 attacked by a robin. The bird would perch at the base of the window,      
 ruffle its feathers, chirp loudly, and then fly headfirst into the glass.
                                                                           
 I did some research and learned that robins are territorial. While        
 nesting, they drive out any competing robins. This bird apparently saw    
 its reflection in our window and thought it was another robin. The threat
 was not real; it was only an illusion.                                    
                                                                           
 In the Old Testament, we see an instance when Jacob imagined a threat    
 that wasn't really there. Years earlier, Jacob had stolen his brother    
 Esau's blessing by their father. Now, after many years of separation,    
 they were going to meet again. Jacob thought Esau would harm him, so he  
 sent gifts ahead as a peace offering of sorts. Then, when he saw Esau    
 approaching with 400 men, Jacob panicked. Yet what Jacob thought was an  
 attack force turned out to be a welcoming committee. "Esau ran to meet    
 him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they      
 wept" (Gen. 33:4).                                                        
                                                                           
 In interpersonal relationships, we sometimes misinterpret a situation. We
 must ask the Lord for discernment so we don't miss a friendship because  
 of an imaginary threat.                                                  
                                                                           
                      I went outside to find a friend                      
                       But could not find one there;                      
                      I went outside to be a friend,                      
                    And friends were everywhere! —Payne                    

 Don't be afraid of a presumed enemy, but trust in the Lord to make a new  
                                  friend.                                  
                                                                           
 Bible in a year:                                                          
 Esther 3-5; Acts 5:22-42