Prayer: Father, give me counsel today, by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Reading: 1 Chronicles 27 key: vs. 33-34 “Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiatar. Joab was the commander of the king’s army.” TLV
Attention: Have you ever traveled by plane, train, car, bicycle, or walked somewhere? Are you aware of the difference in what you will see by taking the various modes of transportation? There is a world of difference in the details.
Have you ever done a fly over in God’s Word? In other words, have you skipped the Old Testament and only read the New Testament? Have you never studied God’s Word for yourself? Have you only listened to sermons and read a devotional now and then? If you have not walked through the entire Bible, you are missing a lot of detail and a lot of wisdom.
According to the Barna Group (Christian research company), only about 2% of Christians have ever read the entire Bible. If this figure accurately represents Christians knowledge of the Bible, how does that reflect on our relationship with God?
I want to give you background information on Ahithophel. His personal name means “brother of folly.” He is the personal, spiritual counselor to King David. We know scripturally, that Ahithophel joined forces with David’s son Absalom’s in his revolt against his father David. We know that David prayed against Ahithophel’s counsel (2 Samuel 15:12), that it might be turned to foolishness (15:31) and commissioned the faithful Hushai to help Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, counteract the counsel of Ahithophel. Ahithophel led Absalom to show his rebellion was for real by taking over his father’s concubines (16:15-23). Ahithophel’s counsel was famous as being equal to the word of God (16:23). Hushai, however, persuaded Absalom not to follow Ahithophel’s military advice (chapter 17), this being God’s work (17:14). Disgraced, Ahithophel returned home to Giloh, put his house in order, and hanged himself (17:23). (source: Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).
Did it work for Ahithophel to turn on God’s anointed king? Not so much. God answered David’s prayer. Who we align ourselves with matters. Are you aligned with God (Adonai)?
You would not know this information about Ahithophel unless you do a little digging. The Holy Spirit will guide you and mentor you if you ask Him too. He does his mentoring through the scriptures. Open your Bible and discover who God is. You will be richly rewarded.
Action: I choose to be a Berean in attitude and practice (Acts 17:11).
Yield: I choose to submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in power.
Relationship: I choose to live in holy, obedient relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, Your words are rich! Your wisdom is higher than anyone else’s. I lean on You. I trust in You. The things I learn from Your Word is life! Amen.
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “I call the heavens and the earth to witness about you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live, by loving Adonai your God, listening to His voice, and clinging to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell on the land that Adonai swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob—to give them.” TLV
Music Video: Third Day—You Words https://youtu.be/KqaA8XBI15o?si=1Qot7EaBrOD9hiM-
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”