Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A Tale of Two Counseled
I've been camped out in the Books of Kings lately, and as usual, God's Word has addressed issues in my own life....
We groan as the young King Rehoboam (son of wise King Solomon) rejects the advice of the older counselors (1 Kings 19) and instead, goes to his friends and sycophants for advice. You know the outcome: Rehoboam takes the rash and arrogant advice of his contemporaries and loses most of the kingdom of Israel.
In 1 Kings 20, Jeroboam takes the advice of his counselors and leads Israel back into idol worship. Note that Jeroboam makes TWO golden calves (possibly to trump Aaron's one golden calf), but uses the very same language from Aaron's idolatrous rant - "Look, Israel, theses are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!" (v. 28).
Two groups of counselors who gave disastrous advice to two leaders at critical moments in Israel's
history. There is a very important lesson in this: we must beware of who we seek advice from. I believe that godly counsel is needed. In fact, Proverbs 11:14 says, "For lack of guidance a nation falls,but many advisers make victory sure." But we should also remember that Rehoboam's grandfather, King David, "sought the Lord" at every critical juncture of his life.
I remember a phrase from my childhood that I don't hear as much anymore. When a believer was in distress or faced with a difficult decision, I often heard them say, "I need a word from the Lord." In other words, "I need God's advice and direction in this situation."
David's testimony is a good example for us today, "Your statutes [Your words] are my delight; they are my counselors" (Psalm 119:24). We may need good counsel, a better perspective, or some specific instruction; but there is no better counsel than God's Word, no better perspective than from the One who knows our beginning, our ending, and everything in between (Psalm 139), and no better instruction than from the God whose knowledge is infinite.
If we need good counsel in the midst of difficult circumstances or in critical decisions, I believe that this is where we should start - go to God, seek Him, inquire of the Lord, and wait for His wise counsel or direction. And by the way, that's good advice.
We groan as the young King Rehoboam (son of wise King Solomon) rejects the advice of the older counselors (1 Kings 19) and instead, goes to his friends and sycophants for advice. You know the outcome: Rehoboam takes the rash and arrogant advice of his contemporaries and loses most of the kingdom of Israel. In 1 Kings 20, Jeroboam takes the advice of his counselors and leads Israel back into idol worship. Note that Jeroboam makes TWO golden calves (possibly to trump Aaron's one golden calf), but uses the very same language from Aaron's idolatrous rant - "Look, Israel, theses are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!" (v. 28).
Two groups of counselors who gave disastrous advice to two leaders at critical moments in Israel's
history. There is a very important lesson in this: we must beware of who we seek advice from. I believe that godly counsel is needed. In fact, Proverbs 11:14 says, "For lack of guidance a nation falls,but many advisers make victory sure." But we should also remember that Rehoboam's grandfather, King David, "sought the Lord" at every critical juncture of his life.
I remember a phrase from my childhood that I don't hear as much anymore. When a believer was in distress or faced with a difficult decision, I often heard them say, "I need a word from the Lord." In other words, "I need God's advice and direction in this situation."
David's testimony is a good example for us today, "Your statutes [Your words] are my delight; they are my counselors" (Psalm 119:24). We may need good counsel, a better perspective, or some specific instruction; but there is no better counsel than God's Word, no better perspective than from the One who knows our beginning, our ending, and everything in between (Psalm 139), and no better instruction than from the God whose knowledge is infinite.
If we need good counsel in the midst of difficult circumstances or in critical decisions, I believe that this is where we should start - go to God, seek Him, inquire of the Lord, and wait for His wise counsel or direction. And by the way, that's good advice.
Labels: Advice
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Getting Out of God's Way
Peter tells the council in Jerusalem, "Who was I to stand in God's way?" (Acts 11:17). I wonder how many times that I have stood in God's way? I'm certain it's too many to count. Some of those obstructions come easily to mind and I am shamed by my motivations. The reasons? Pride, arrogance (wanted God's will my way), lack of faith, subtle prejudices, tradition (that's the way we've always done it!), selfishness...ok, the list is long and ugly.But what I'm wondering is how many times I have gotten in God's way and didn't even know it. Because I was just being careless, because I was impatient over some minor inconvenience, or because I felt hurt or slighted in some way. Scary when I begin to think about it in this context.
The question is: how can I keep this from happening again? Like Peter, I must listen to the Holy Spirit, trust God's direction and plan, be obedient to His instruction (no matter what other people might say), and be willing to be used in whatever way He sees fit. I know, easier said than done. But when we do...God can accomplish some amazing things in, and through, us!
Labels: Barriers
Saturday, June 12, 2010
It's Time for a Test!
"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart." - Proverbs 17:3 -
In life, times of testing will come. (And they often make us feel like we are going through the fire!) Ok, that's not comforting at all. What is reassuring about this truth is the One who is doing the testing. We can trust the Lord, for several reasons: 1) His love for us is not in question. 2) The test will not be forever. 3) He wants us to pass the test - not just with our faith intact, but with our faith in Him stronger and better than before.
If you are going through a time of testing, it is important to know WHO is giving the test and to know WHAT He desires to do in you. Read James 1:2-4 for further insight into God's desire for your life. (Be sure and highlight the last part of verse 4!)
Labels: Testing
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