Wise Counsel
I have always been fascinated with shows & movies about the presidency of the United States. As I kid I loved American history. I have enjoyed television shows like The West Wing and Madam Secretary to name a couple. One thing I’ve noticed about leaders at all levels from the President to the owner of a small business; they all need wise counsel.
There are times when I think I know the right decision and someone will advise me to consider another angle or to see the particular issue from another angle. There are also times when a leader surrounds himself or herself with counsel that will only agree with them. In those cases, they don’t want wise counsel; they just want the appearance of wise counsel.
David was fleeing from his son Absalom who was attempting a coup. David had prayed that one of Absalom’s key advisors would give bad counsel as he tried to take the kingdom. The Lord heard David’s prayer and Ahithophel gave bad ideas and counsel. Absalom turned for additional counsel and this guy actually ended up helping David as well. Check this out…
7 Hushai replied to Absalom, ‘The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, “There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.” 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave. (2 Samuel 17:7-10 NIV)
Hushai then sent word to David about the strategy of Absalom. Wise counsel is critical to having received all the information needed before action is taken. If a leader makes a decision before all the data is in, he or she could be headed down a road to disaster.
I thought about the person who represents himself before a court and the old saying that goes with that… “He who has himself for a client, has a fool for an attorney”.
I would be wise to ask lots of questions and try to understand all the different angles of an issue before a decision is made. I would also be wise to seek wise counsel from opposing sides before making a decision. I also believe that the Ultimate Counsel is the Holy Spirit of God. When I seek wisdom from God, He dispenses it liberally. He loves it when I ask for His counsel and His direction. His Word gives insight and wisdom beyond compare. I so want to grow in wisdom and understanding that comes directly from the Heart of God.
Pressing On!
Dwayne