“God’s Counsel Over Man’s”

by Dennis Lee

 It really doesn’t matter how good the counsel we receive; it won’t work if God’s not behind it.

Absalom had rebelled against his father and God’s anointed, king David. This in itself is a no-no.

When Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses, Miriam was struck with leprosy (Numbers 12:8-10). When the people of Israel spoke against God and Moses, God sent fiery serpents to punish them (Numbers 21:5-6). And when Korah and his followers spoke against Moses and Aaron, God opened the earth and swallowed them up (Numbers 16:2-3, 31-32).

David also would not go against King Saul, even though Saul wronged him, and God had anointed David instead.

David’s said, “The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” (1 Samuel 26:11)

David knew it was wrong to oppose God’s man.

The Bible also tells us children are to obey their parents and then they’ll enjoy a long life.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’–which is the first commandment with a promise– that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

So, the will of God was for Absalom to obey his father, and not rebel and harm God’s anointed. But Absalom wouldn’t listen to God and rebelled anyway and lost his life in the process.

But that’s not the point. Ahithophel gave the best advice, but Absalom took the advice of Hushai instead because God had already determined Absalom’s fate based on his disobedience.

“Absalom and all the men of Israel said, ‘The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.’ For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.” (2 Samuel 17:14)

So, instead of seeking the counsel of man, seek God’s counsel, because His will is perfect, and He will always get His way.

Proverbs 19:21 says, “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel will stand.”

Dennis graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with BA in business administration and an M.A. in theology from Talbot School of Theology. He also has an MDiv equivalency degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Dennis is a prolific writer. He presently has two books, “From Here to There: A Journey to Spiritual Transformation,” and “Wells of Living Waters,” along with other books and pamphlets that he describes as “down the pike.” He also writes a religious column for a local newspaper entitled, “Rediscover the Bible for Life,” along with daily devotionals and thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Living Waters Fellowship’s Website. Dennis is presently the senior pastor of Living Waters Fellowship in Mesquite, Nevada.

Feature Photo by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay