1 Chronicles 19:1–5

Culture will often have us believing that everyone has malicious intentions toward us. But sometimes, our misjudgment of others can block the very blessings and opportunities God has placed before us.

Could it be that the unknown scares us?

Could it be that our arrogance causes us to believe we don't need anyone else?

Or could it be that a damaged past has consumed us so deeply that even the possibility of someone genuinely wanting to help seems far-fetched?

Misjudgment is nothing new. It has caused broken relationships, missed opportunities, and even wars since biblical times.

If we flash back to David's time in 1 Chronicles 19, we see how quickly good intentions can be mistaken for something sinister. After the death of Nahash, king of the Ammonites, David wanted to show kindness to his son, Hanun. David remembered the kindness Nahash had shown him, so he sent a delegation to comfort Hanun following his father's death.

It was a godly and compassionate gesture.

But Hanun's advisers convinced him that David's men hadn't come to comfort him at all. They suggested that David had sent the men to spy on the land so he could eventually overthrow it.

Instead of receiving David's kindness, Hanun responded out of suspicion. He humiliated David's men and sent them away in disgrace. One misjudgment turned an act of compassion into conflict.

How often do we do the same thing?

Who's the new person in your life? Are you at a new school? Do you have new teammates or coworkers? Has someone unexpectedly offered to help you, support you, or open a door for you?

God positions people in our lives for reasons and seasons. Unfortunately, fear can cause us to resist His positioning.

When we've been hurt before, suspicion can feel like wisdom. We start looking for hidden motives. We question people's kindness. We assume the worst before giving someone the opportunity to show us their heart.

And if we're not careful, we can mistreat, push away, or even destroy relationships with the very people God may have sent to be a blessing in our lives.

That's why we must be intentional about seeking God's wisdom before reacting.

James 1:5 reminds us:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Discernment is important, but discernment and suspicion are not the same thing. Discernment seeks God for clarity. Suspicion often allows fear, pride, or past pain to make the decision for us.

Before you assume someone's intentions, ask God for wisdom.

Before you reject the opportunity, ask God for wisdom.

Before you push the person away, ask God for wisdom.

Because sometimes the person you're suspicious of isn't trying to take something from you.

God may have sent them to bring something to you.

Prayer:
God, give me wisdom to recognize the people and opportunities You place in my life. Help me not to allow fear, pride, or past hurt to cause me to misjudge someone's intentions. Give me discernment to know what is from You and courage to receive the blessings You send—even when they arrive through unexpected people. Amen.