Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 17

 

Contradictory Advice

Ahithophel advised Absalom that he needed to do only one thing to make his throne secure, and that was kill David. If he did this swiftly, without war or unnecessary bloodshed, the people would soon be fully behind him. After getting a second opinion from Hushai, Absalom decided to reject Ahithophel’s counsel and proceed with a full military attack. This would turn out to be a gross mis-judgement on Absalom’s part as David’s military might would prove to be too much for him and his supporters.

It turns out that, behind the scenes, God was protecting David and his throne. If Absalom had taken Ahithophel’s original advice, he would have defeated David and taken over the kingdom. But God had other plans. He sent Hushai to give Absalom contradictory advice, knowing full well that Absalom would choose the latter. For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel. Absalom failed to seek God’s counsel on the matter, and he trusted in his own wisdom to make the choice. Proverbs 18:26 tells us, “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool.” In this situation, Absalom acted according to his own human nature and his pride. A tragic mistake.

What do you do when you receive advice from two people and their advice is inconsistent or even contradictory? This was the dilemma facing Absalom. Who should I listen to? Whose advice is the best and most sound? On occasion, we are faced with the same dilemma. Who should you listen to? The answer is simple… get the Lord’s advice on the matter before making your decision. This is something Absalom failed to do.

It is so important to obtain counsel from others before making important decisions. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” And again in Proverbs 15:22, “Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.” A wise person will listen to wise counsel. But always remember – in the end, it is God’s counsel that matters. Don’t just listen to human advice, as sound as it may seem. Listen to the Holy Spirit who promises to “lead you into all truth.” (John 16:13)

A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others. So, listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom. But, be careful that you don’t act on all the advice you receive without consulting your God. And, don’t lean on your own understanding, or your own feelings when considering the advice you’ve been given. It may seem right in your own eyes, but remember your heart is deceitful and can cloud your judgment. Listen to God and His still small voice speaking to your spirit. “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25) God is all-knowing. He has perfect wisdom and is capable of understanding the impact of every single decision on every single thing.

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 16

A Walking Bible

Ahithophel was a confidant and personal adviser to king David. He was a native of Giloh, a small town in central Israel.  Originally he was one of David's most intimate and valued friends. His counsel was highly esteemed. Ahithophel was originally the adviser of King David, but he later betrayed the king, aiding Absalom in his rebellion to overthrow David’s kingship. 

In 2 Samuel 16, we see Ahithophel giving counsel to David’s son Absalom. The advice he gave was considered “as if one consulted the word of God.” Although his name, “Ahithophel” means “my brother of folly; foolish,” his counsel was anything but. When Ahithophel spoke, people listened! When he gave advice, others considered his words to be as if God Himself was the one who was speaking. Whether the people’s perceptions were accurate or not, his reputation is one we should all seek.

When we speak - when we give advice to others – our prayer should be that the words we speak are words of God’s wisdom and not our own earthly advice. What a wonderful reputation to have - as one whose words are as if “one consulted the word of God.”  Is that what others think of your words?

It is a mistake to rely on worldly wisdom as Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 3:19, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” It may seem “wise” by worldly standards, but if your counsel is not firmly rooted in the word of God, it is sheer folly.

The amazing thing is that God promises to enable all of His children to speak His word with power and authority. As we absorb His word on a daily basis and the Holy Spirit imparts to us God’s wisdom, it has the effect of shaping our thoughts and words. When we then speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit, our words will be “as if one consulted the word of God.”  People should come to know you as someone who knows and speaks the word of God – a “walking Bible” so to speak.

God has chosen to use human messengers to deliver His divine truth. Whether you realize it or not, those around you who know you are a Christian will take the words you speak and the advice you give as though they were God’s advice. As William Toms rightly said, “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.”  This is a solemn responsibility!  May your life be so saturated in the word of God that His wisdom and His counsel oozes out of your life. May you be one whose counsel is as if one consulted the word of God. May God transform you into a “walking Bible.”

 

Today's Reading: Psalms 28 & 55

Cast Your Burden on Him

The Hebrew word translated “cast” in verse 22 means to throw, cast, hurl, or fling. The Jews used this word in association with throwing something away. The definition of “burden” is a heavy load to carry, a difficulty, trouble, heavy trial.  Here in Psalm 55, we are exhorted to hurl our burdens onto Him - to throw them away.

Does your life seem overwhelming and stressful lately? Do you feel weighed down by worries and frustrations to the point of exhaustion? Are your shoulders sagging under the weight of your heavy load? Then it is time to hurl those heavy weights off your shoulders and onto the shoulders of your Great Burden Bearer.  But how do you do that? How can we, as Christ followers, cast our burden on the Lord? The simple formula is Come, Take, Let Go.

First, you must COME to Jesus.  When you’re overwhelmed by burdens, Jesus invites you to come to Him. This may sound like a simple task, but I’ve found that bringing my burdens to Him is often not my first instinct. I wrongly think it is my responsibility to carry the weight. But Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) So, the first step to casting your burden on Him is simply to COME to Him. Don’t run the other way. And don’t think you are alone. He is here and He is waiting.

Second, TAKE His yoke. A yoke was a wooden device that was placed around the neck of oxen or cattle and connected to the plow or cart they pulled. Most yokes in Bible times were “dual-passenger.” This means that two animals would share the yoke and carry the load together. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) Sharing a yoke made the burden lighter and more easily carried. Jesus wants you to slip your head into His yoke. Together, the heavy weight will fall off your shoulders and He will carry the burden. TAKE His yoke and feel the strength of Him pulling the load.

Third, and most important, you must LET GO of your burden. So often we reach back ready to hurl our burdens upon Jesus. Our throwing arm goes forward, but we keep a grip on the item that is weighing us down. Don’t hold on!  Jesus calls us to cast  – hurl, throw, fling – our burdens on Him. Take your heavy load to Jesus, and lay it down. Then, DON’T pick it up again. Let go and let Him bear the burden. Place your burden in your hands and then chuck it upward toward Heaven with your hands wide open. LET GO and let God carry the load.

In the words of the old Maranatha song by Chuck Girard, “Lay your burden down, lay your burden down. Take your troubled soul, your tired mind and lay your burden down. Lay your burden down, get your feet on solid ground. Take your worries to the foot of the cross and lay your burden down.” He will do the rest, and He will give you rest.

Today's Reading: Psalms 4, 12, & 13

Like Silver Purified Seven Times

In Bible times, silver was usually used for decorative purposes such as jewelry and household ornaments. Before silver could be used for these purposes, it had to be extracted from the ore of other metals, primarily lead. Silver was usually obtained as a by-product of lead mining. The ore would then be purified in a clay furnace using an extremely hot melting process.  In order to separate the silver from the lead, the rough ore would be heated above the temperature at which silver melts (1750°F).  When the liquid metal then cooled slowly, the silver solidified first and it floated as a crust above the liquid lead. This crust of silver was then skimmed off and poured into bars in order to be traded.

The rough silver still contained some small particles of lead that had to be removed to obtain “pure” silver.  To purify the rough silver further it was melted again in the melting pot on the fire. This second purifying process resulted in silver that was typically 99% pure. Although the silver still contained some miniscule particles of lead, it was considered ready for trade. In very rare cases, the silver would be purified a third time resulting in silver that was 99.99% pure.

Here in Psalm 12:6, we are told that the “words of the Lord” are so pure that they are like silver that has been refined and purified SEVEN times. David is emphasizing that God’s word is so pure, it is like silver which is flawless. Not 99.99% pure, or even 99.999999% pure, but completely flawless and without any imperfection whatsoever.

This doesn’t imply that God’s words once contained flaws or impurities which had to be removed. God’s word is, and has always been pure, without any contamination or imperfections whatsoever. They were pure when they were first issued and remain pure to this day. The God who is holy, and pure, and perfect has given us His words, which are also holy, pure, and perfect in every way. His word is pure but never purified.

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5)  By contrast, human wisdom is flawed. It contains imperfections. The words of the wisest men and women in history come nowhere near the flawless wisdom of God.  God’s word contains not even the tiniest particle of human wisdom. Because it is pure, it can be received with readiness of mind and trusted with the depths of the heart. Put your trust in God’s words. They are pure. They are peaceable. They are able to bring you true wisdom and transform your life. “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:8)

 

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 15 & Psalm 3

 

The Lifter Of My Head

Merry Christmas to you from ‘A Word from the Word.’ May the True Spirit of Christmas shine in your heart and light your path today and through the upcoming year.

In Psalm 3, we read the words of king David as he is fleeing from his son, Absalom. This Psalm starts out with a sense of foreboding as David is tempted by others to focus his attention on the deep problems he is facing. Can you feel his worry as he says, “Many are my foes”? Can you sense his despair as he says, “Many are rising against me”? Do you get the feeling that the world around him is telling him to give up hope as he writes, “Many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God”?

But the Psalm doesn’t end there! In verse 3, David soundly rejects the world’s advice and turns his eyes back onto the God he loves. He wisely realizes that his help and salvation come from the LORD in this situation just as it has in every other situation.

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me.”  The shield was a defensive weapon used by soldiers. It’s purpose was to cover and defend the body from the strikes of the enemy. David here acknowledges that God is his Defender and Protector. What a joy to know that our Lord will stand between us and our adversaries, taking the blows and keeping us safe. I am safe when the Lord wraps around me like a shield.

“You are… my glory.” The Hebrew word for “glory” means honor, splendor, dignity, reputation. It carries the idea of majesty and magnificence. David, here, acknowledges that whatever glory there may be that comes from his life, it is not because of his own magnificence or self-doing. The glory of David’s life, and our lives as followers of Christ, comes solely from the One who is Most Glorious. Knowing this takes a lot of pressure off of David and us. It means that, no matter what happens, no one can take away the glory of my life because it isn’t about me, it is about Him!

“You are… the lifter of my head.” When the voices of the world start to get to us, we can start feeling down and we are tempted to look inward at our own weaknesses and failures. When we look away from God, we can get discouraged or even depressed. When this happens, it can actually have an effect on our body posture. Often unknowingly, our shoulders can bend forward and hunched over, and our head takes a downward-looking posture. It is a sign that we are “weighed down” by our challenges and troubles. David here declares emphatically that, in these situations, the Lord is the lifter of his head. He is the One who can turn our downward posture back into an upward-looking, optimistic and faith-filled position. As He lifts the burden from our shoulders, our head turns back up and the joy of salvation once again fills our heart. The problems are still with us, but Someone Else is carrying the load and lifting our head!

May the Lord be your Shield, your Glory, and the Lifter of your head this Christmas Day!

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 14

 

Do The Right Thing

After Absalom killed Amnon, he remained in exile, fearing retribution from king David. Joab, the king’s army commander, recognized that David had the ability to be reconciled to his son Absalom. He realized that the king really wanted to see his son, but because of his pride and stubbornness, he refused to make the first move towards reconciliation. So, Joab devised a plan to send a widow woman from Tekoa to speak to the king and persuade him to bring Absalom back home. The plan worked and, after a period of time, the two were finally reunited.

In the course of her conversation, the woman from Tekoa pointed out that David was a wise man – as wise as “the angel of God.” Because the LORD was with him, she recognized that David had the ability to handle things and discern good and evil. By saying this, she was suggesting that David set aside his stubbornness and pride and “do the right thing.”

It can be a hard thing to set aside our emotions when faced with a choice between right and wrong. If we’re not careful, we can let our stubbornness drive our decisions and cloud our ability to discern between good and evil. When you are full of pride on the inside, it makes you stiff, stubborn, and creates strife with others.  Perhaps it is anger, jealousy, pride, bitterness, or simply your selfishness that is keeping you from obeying God’s command to “love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

Be careful of stubbornness. In the face of an obstacle which is impossible to overcome, stubbornness is simply unwise. If we desire to know the depths of the wisdom of God, we must learn to set aside our emotions and feelings and turn to Him for help. We, like David, can be as wise as the “angel of God.” We can do the right thing when we don’t let our humanity get in the way.

Discernment is not just the ability to know right from wrong. It is also the ability to know “right” from “almost right.” Oh, how we need God’s wisdom to show us this distinction, and to give us the wisdom to rise above our human stubbornness and do the right thing. May the LORD your God be with you and may you be “like the angel of God” in wisdom and discernment.

Who do you need to be reunited with today? Make the first move and set aside your emotions. Do the right thing!

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 13

 

Tragedy in the Royal Family

Here, we read of Amnon, son of King David (and heir apparent to the throne) who rapes his half-sister Tamar and later is murdered by his own brother for his sin. What a sad story illustrating the depths of human depravity. Many people wonder why this disturbing story is in the Bible. After all, it doesn’t seem to have any mention of God’s grace or His redeeming love. It is a sad and tragic story about the dark side of human nature. But there is a reason this story is here – to teach us about the consequences of sin.  God has laid down the rules. If you follow the rules, you're going to find fulfillment and satisfaction, and a meaningful relationship with Him. But if you violate the rules, you're going to get hurt. You're going to get burned. This is the story of David getting hurt as a result of his sin and the sins of others.

Let me suggest some ways this passage may be instructive for us. First, and most obviously, we need to see that there are consequences for sin. Remember that David had committed the terrible sins of lust, adultery, deception, and murder in his incident with Bathsheba. After those sins, David repented and received forgiveness from God. He was genuinely forgiven but was informed that there would still be consequences for his sin. We must remember that God’s forgiveness doesn’t necessarily eliminate the after-effects of our sin. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) If we sow to our flesh, we will reap emptiness and heartbreak.

Secondly, we see that sin often starts small and privately, but if left unchecked, it can rapidly escalate into great sin that becomes public. It has been said, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go; keep you longer than you want to stay; and cost you more than you want to pay.”  An example of this is the sin of adultery. You let a small, private attraction for another person develop into acts of sin which lead to the after-effects of destroying marriages and families. Amnon’s lust for Tamar was hidden in his heart. Only God knew about it. Until that day when he let the power of sin and his selfish desire take over. He acted on his “innocent” attraction and the results were heartbreaking. This passage encourages us to stay out of sin, no matter how “small” or “innocent” it may seem. “Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)

Finally, this story teaches us something about love. Amnon claimed that he “loved” Tamar. But, he was disastrously confusing “love” with “lust.”  When someone is coming on so strong, beware. Watch out for the person who's desiring to have sex with you before you get married, trying to rush things, trying to give you the old line about, "Everybody does it, and after all how are we going to know if we're really matched or not." He's not really looking to give true love and meaningful love. He's putting on a big act, so he can gratify his own fleshly desires. When you no longer satisfy those fleshly desires, he'll discard you, and you're going to be left heartbroken, disillusioned. True love is expressed by acts of selflessness and service.  You will know it when someone is willing to deny their own desires in order to serve and care for others. “Pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (1 Timothy 2:22)