Good deadly counsel

Now in those days the counsel that Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God; so was the counsel of Ahithophel esteemed, both by David and by Absalom.
– 2 Samuel 16:23

And it was told David, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”
– 2 Samuel 15:31

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.
– 2 Samuel 17:14

Ahithophel seems to be a very wise man, his counsel is good and trustworthy, and had God not intervened, David would surely see his own death at the hands of his son. Why this man Ahithophel chooses allegiance with the rebel son is interesting. In his wisdom he must have seen Absalom’s popularity and drive…perhaps even being swayed by this royal’s prose of justice. So Ahithophel follows the rebel, giving good deadly counsel. David knows the strategic mastery of his betrayer and asks of the Lord for His divine intervention.

Thus enters Hushai, a cunning but Godly fellow, who’s sworn allegiance is to the Lord’s anointed. Hushai’s counsel is more poetic, grandesque, playing on the pride found within Absalom’s regime. The Lord makes His intervention, and Hushai’s counsel frustrates the good counsel of Ahithophel…for the Lord is for His people.

Despite what seems like the good road to follow, I must set my eyes on what is anointed, what good thing God has ordained. Not to be deceived by appearances, and always testing my own motives. Why is my heart following in this way? Is this good or Godly? Ultimately I hope to find that my trust is not within myself, lest I be wise in my own eyes; but that I find my trust and counsel within the One who holds wisdom.

Lord, frustrate my foolish ways…I ask for your wisdom, to know the good and right path you have set before me.
Amen

Wise and faithful servanthood

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
– Matthew 24:45-47

The wise and faithful servant is described as a giver. He gives the master’s household it’s food at a proper time.

The book of Daniel: a study on wisdom and sovereignty

Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the kings palace, and to teach them literature and language of the Chaldeans. – Daniel 1:3,4

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. – Daniel 1:17

Daniel answered and he said:
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the King’s matter. – Daniel 2:20-23

The book of Daniel seeks to answer two key questions:
1) Is God really God? Is he sovereign?
2) Can God forgive his people?
Daniel and his buds are good looking smart dudes, top of the top, the best of the best. To the Babylonians they are the leaders to this people, young and primed for brainwashing. But God within the nature of himself, gives these stewards more to handle. God gives more wisdom to the wise. In Habaccuk it talks of the reason for this exile. The people of Israel trusted in their own strength. However with Daniel we see the opposite. Skilled and wise, he understands where his strength comes from and that it is given him for the purposes of God.

In these chapters are the questions answered?

Does God reveal himself as sovereign?
Yes! He displays himself as the one in control. He is the distributer of knowledge, wisdom, understanding.

Is he able to forgive?
While this question is not directly answered, we see God in his sovereignty setting the stage for the redemption of his people.

The Lord has given me wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and a sharp wit…I would like to think I have the looks to go with, but that is speculative :} It is not my own workings that have provided me with strength. I recognize my life is not my own and I only steward that which God has given. I must stick true to this worldview lest I wander and take the credit as “the gift of wisdom.” Without God I am a fool and I trust in his hands, not my own.

Surrounding Hearts

Scripture)
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
-Proverbs 29:11

Observation)
Giving a person “a piece of my my mind” or telling them “the time of day” is not wisdom. Neither is spilling the heart out to another. Even among trusted persons, to speak unfiltered is foolishness. But instead speaking to God on these matters proves to be most effective. The wise man does not bottle things up. He seeks the proper time and considers his surroundings while evaluating the hearts of those who are near him.

Application)
It is a heart of love in me to consider others well-being over what I consider my own.

Prayer)
Lord help me truly live others focused, grant me loving kindness and wisdom.
Amen

Gentle Wisdom

Scripture)
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
-James 3:13

Observation)
Gentleness; something commonly seen as weakness to this world is the very way that a believer is to live out wisdom. Instead of pursuing accolades gentleness re-routes our path back into the heart of God (for it is the fear of The Lord that is the beginning of wisdom) and in His wisdom He teaches us true gentleness, as it is very much part of His character.

Application)
Recognition has always been shoved down my throat in the industry of media (sometimes even within church settings). Self promotion, ambition, POWER. But as a believer I live in a new reality of grace, driven by healers, the gentle, compassionate, and humble. This is the true power I hold to; the passion and love of Christ, who through the wisdom of God laid His life down for others…in gentleness. So I am to do the same, leave the temporal lust for power and embrace living in death through a humble heart, that others might find and latch on to the wisdom of God.

Prayer)
Lord help my mind grasp your gentleness and see not in weakness but in strength; the power of your gentleness and true wisdom found in your arms.
Amen

Costa Rica Day 12

July 11 2012
God’s Word for the Day)
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
-Hebrews 13:15-16

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.
-1 Corinthians 2:4-5

My thoughts on God’s words)
My faith does not rely on the words of men. I do not place “wise” teachers on a pedestal. Rather the spirit of the one teaching is to be tested by the Spirit for the edification of the Holy Spirit’s work. This does not negate wise teaching for all true wisdom is a perfect gift from the Father. The prior verse echoes the words He has spoken to me on this trip “Share with others.”

I heard God when)
Our tour guide Thomas gave us these words: “How will you have the most fun on this boat?” several people gave answers but not the one he was looking for. A glimmer in his eye appeared and he spoke this wisdom: “You will have the most fun when you experience it like a child.”

My words to God)
Lord mold me more like a child for these next chapters in life. That I may trust you like a child. I may listen to your voice like a child, I may see adventure rather than task. Help me to truly appreciate your goodness in all it’s forms. I trust you Lord to be the captain of my heart, my deepest thoughts and feelings. Show me the way that I might walk in it. Amen

Events of today)
It was our free day today. We woke up early to go to breakfast then traveled by bus to the docks where we boarded a catamaran for a three hour tour across the pacific coast. It was fun. Our tour guide Thomas gave us the “English” version of the tour and gave us some of the history of Costa Rica. We saw some dolphins at one spot then went snorkeling across the the reef and saw many fish! Best snorkeling ever! After that our team decided to hit up the beach while me and a couple others went shopping. I got a wooden puzzle egg. We ate some texmex food then joined the others on the shore. Me and Levi had some fun in the water then swam deeper to join Lauren, Marshall, and Ryan for surfing 🙂 Had some dinner at B&D’s and afterward they told us the story of how they met.
-Bryan Switalski