Perception is the process of receiving information through the senses (hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling and seeing) and making sense of it. It is also defined as the process by which an organism detects and interprets information from the external world by means of the sensory receptors.
In many of our local churches, we are reminded frequently of the favor of God, but very few explain to us how this favor comes about. In today’s teaching we will analyze how God will alter the perception of others in an effort to not only grant us favor but via the perception of others cause promotion, opportunities, open doors that could not have happen under normal circumstances.
Just before I proceed any further with this biblical insight, I must make clear that when God promotes, give favor, advances, or elevate you he initiates it by changing the perception of those around you. The lessons which were via your trouble and challenges were making the necessary changes in you. However I am sure you’ll agree that no matter how much you’ve changed some folks refuse to accept the fact that you’ve changed, and will continue to label or categorize you as to who you use to be. Therefore, if it were left up to those around you who refuse to accept your change you’ll never advance. So, it is necessary for God to change their perception of you to accommodate the change in you.
Joshua, who was the minister of Moses was about to take on one of the greatest challenges of his life. That challenge was taking over as the leader of the children of Israel following Moses’ death. Now, least we forget this was not an easy task, simply because Moses was the greatest leader they ever knew. Aside from leading them out of Egyptian bondage, the many miracles that were performed by God through him and to top it off he brought them of slavery by breaking the back of poverty and making them wealthy.
Like any good leader Moses affirms Joshua as the future leader to the children of Israel. “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of Israel, be strong and of good courage.” Moses added by saying, “The Lord will go before thee, he will not fail thee nor forsake thee, fear not neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8). In reading this I was compel to ask myself, why would Moses say this to him be strong and of good courage? I am convinced Moses knew the difficult times Joshua would have faced leading an estimated three million people who revered Moses.
In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, Joshua 1:6,7,9 Moses and God had repeatedly said to Joshua: a) Be strong b) Be of good courage c) Fear not and d) Be not dismayed. Again seeing that Joshua is now the leader, why are these four statements being rehearsed into his hearing?
It is almost as if they knew something Joshua did not know. The truth is they both knew that the children of Israel would automatically compare Joshua to Moses and conclude that Joshua was inferior to Moses and not capable of leading them like Moses did.
So, even though Joshua was qualified for the job the children of Israel perception needed to be amended to remove this comparison issue. Right now you are qualified for that promotion on your job, or you've changed your life and decided to live for God, but somehow folks don’t accept your new status because you are still the same old you in their sight. Therefore God will have to do for you what he’s about to do for Joshua.
“And the Lord said to Joshua, this day will I begin to "MAGNIFY" thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. The word, magnify means: to make someone or something appear larger than it is as with a lens or microscope.
The revelation here is simply this, God changed absolutely nothing about Joshua. God did not change his height, strength, weight etc, but instead the bible said that God made Joshua appear larger than he was in the sight of Israel. The only thing that was changed was Israel’s perception of Joshua who was already qualified for what God had called him to do……wow!
My beloved readers, you've been ridicule, talked about, used, skipped over for promotion, degraded and laughed at. To add insult to injury it has been trouble after trouble, disappointment, set backs and not to mention hindrances. However this year God has decided that you've qualified to go forward, but he has to change the perception of your haters and oppressors. All of the challenges were in an effort to change you. Now that, that leg of the process is completed GOD WILL NOW MAGNIFY YOU IN THIS YEAR!
Magnification from God places a demand on your haters and oppressors to respect you and see you as what God has called you to be. JUST FOR YOU, GOD WILL CHANGE THE SPIRITUAL LENS OF ALL THOSE THAT OPPOSED YOU IN YEARS, MONTHS, AND WEEKS PAST, ONLY TO REVEAL TO THEM WHAT HE HAS DONE IN YOU….
Remember when Jesus did his miracles, the nay Sayers said, “Isn't this Mary and Joseph boy? Isn't this the carpenter”. God magnified Jesus through his miracles and teachings. However prior to this he was just a regular person to the people, not that he wasn't ready to do God’s work, but the people’s perception had to be altered, and only God can do that.
Wherever you are right now say it out loud or scream it out in your mind GOD HAS MAGNIFIED ME AND IT HAS CAUSED ME TO APPEAR LARGER, MAGNIFICENT, GLORIOUS, AND MORE CONFIDENT IN THE SIGHT OF MY ENEMIES!
Prayer points:
- Confess and repent of all your sins
- Ask God for courage, strength and the ability to resisting fear and confusion
- Believe that God is with you and will not forsake you
- Finally, ask God to magnify you and begin thanking him and behaving as if it has already happened.
Heavenly father thank you once again for your revelations, and for everyone that would have read this article. It is no accident that they came across this article today, but all according to your divine plan for their lives. I now come in agreement with your word which is faith and declare that you magnify them in the sight of those around them. I command that the spiritual lens of their oppressors and haters be changed only to behold what you've done in their lives. Your word declares that whatsoever thing we desire when we pray, believe that we've receive it and we shall have it, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ.
Written By Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com
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