DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL: The Counsel of the Lord Shall Stand

 Text:2 Samuel 17:1-14

The bible text is exemplary of how God delivers his children from the wicked schemes and plots of the enemy. The counsel given by Ahitophel against David at this crucial time despite his friendship with him shows the deep seated deceit and vengeance in him. He had been David's friend and was brought in as a trusted counsellor into David's government, why he would turn suddenly treacherous in this manner is not so apparent. But recalling that Bathsheba is his granddaughter could help find a reason for his wicked schemes. He had advised that Absalom sleep with his father's wives. As if that wasn't enough, he had to propose machinery for David's  death. The heart of man is indeed very deep. We thank God who is ever ready to protect his children. He worked mysteriously through Hushai to destroy the wicked counsel of Ahitophel.

In Jeremiah 9:23-24, the lord warns thus, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glories glory in this; that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgement and righteousness in the earth for in these things I delight says the lord. For He frustrates the tokens of the liars and drives diviners mad, he turns wise men backward and makes their Knowledge foolish. Yet he confirms the word of his servant and performs the counsel of his messengers (Isaiah 44:25-26). In Job 5:12 he frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot carry out their plans. Alleluia! 

The lord keeps to his promises over us. He did exactly what he promised unto David. Ahitophel could not believe that his wise counsel will ever be defeated. But God defeated him in his own way. Beloved, what is that counsel taken in any quarters of the kingdom of darkness against you? Can you see today that without God's permission it will never hold. For he has commanded; "take counsel it shall come to nothing, speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us" (Isaiah 8:10).  "For God is with us like a mighty awesome one therefore our persecutors, shall stumble and they shall not prevail, they shall be greatly ashamed for they shall not prosper and their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten" (Jeremiah 20: 11). Can you rise up and pray. Tell the lord to frustrate all the fortunes of the liars over your life. For all liars and murderers are of their father the devil (John 8:44) therefore, they shall not be spared. It is our duty not to give them any chance to prosper by praying  and proclaiming what God has said and then positioning ourselves to act accordingly whenever the opportunity presents itself. 

Father, thank you again this morning, you have confirmed your word that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. May you continue to expose the crafty in our homes, churches, governments and among the nations of the world. Catch them in their own craftiness and frustrate all their evil plots in Jesus name, Amen.

Read also: Leave Vengeance for God