God loves us even though “we know not what we do.” His will is always done in spite of the deceptive behaviors of His people.
Laban deceived Jacob.
23 Now in the evening he took his daughter Leah, and brought her to him; and Jacob went in to her. 24 Laban also gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid. 25 So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah! And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served with you? Why then have you deceived me?” 26 But Laban said, “It is not [g]the practice in our place to [h]marry off the younger before the firstborn.27 Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for another seven years.” (Genesis 29: 23-27 NASB)
Elders deceived soldiers about Jesus’ resurrected body.
12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and [d]keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day. (Matthew 28:12-15 NASB)
Esther deceived Haman to catch him in his schemes.
7 So Esther replied, “My petition and my request is:8 if I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and do [e]what I request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do [f]as the king says.” (Esther 5:7-8 NASB)
The Holy Spirit spoke through Paul to change the people’s deceptive hearts.
“Go to the people and say, you will keep on hearing, but will not
Understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears
They scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes; otherwise
They might see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
Understand with their hearts and return, and I would heal them.”
(Acts 28:27 NASB)
Lord, search our hearts for any sign of deception that might keep us from You. Give us the discernment to do Your will always.
-Kellie
Sixty-six books in a year 