GOOD ADVICE VERSUS GOD'S ADVICE

"...THE KING SAID TO NATHAN THE PROPHET, 'SEE NOW, I DWELL IN A HOUSE OF CEDAR, BUT THE ARK OF GOD DWELLS WITHIN TENT CURTAINS.' NATHAN SAID TO THE KING, 'GO, DO ALL THAT IS IN YOUR MIND, FOR THE LORD IS WITH YOU." 
II SAMUEL 7:2-3

King David and Nathan are sitting around one day. The king is aging.  The giants have been slain and enemies defeated.  David has been given rest on every side.  Maybe the "rest" is making him "rest"-less?  Maybe he needs a new dream to fulfill?  Whatever the reason, he throws out this idea to Nathan, "I have a beautiful palace to live in; why does the Lord not have a house to dwell in also?" (my paraphrase of II Samuel 7:2-3)   From the time of the Exodus until now, God's holy dwelling place has been the tent of meeting, a moveable structure designed by God, but still basically a tent.  Nathan agrees. "Sounds like a good idea to me!  God always gives you great ideas and is always with you, so do it." (my paraphrase of II Samuel 7:2-3)

A funny thing happens after Nathan leaves that night.  God comes to him and says, "No, your advice is wrong; go back and tell David not to build a temple.  I never asked him to do this for Me.  Instead, I will have his son build one for me. But also tell him this: David is trying to build something that will physically endure, but I will make his kingdom spiritually endure forever." (my paraphrase of II Samuel 7:4-17)

I wonder: How hard was it for Nathan to go back and say, "I am a prophet of God, but I was wrong?"  Prophets of the Old Testament heard directly from God and were never wrong or else they were not considered a prophet.  It says in Deuteronomy 18:22: "When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken.  The prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him."  And that was exactly the trouble: Nathan had spoken presumptuously without hearing from God or seeking His counsel.

Nathan did not hesitate, however, after God spoke with him.  He was faithful, returned to the king, and repeated every word to David as God had commanded.  They were truthful words.  They stung a little but also held a great promise.  David would immediately go before the Lord, praising Him and questioning Him.  "Who am I, O Lord, God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far?"  (II Samuel 7:18-29)

Sometimes good advice is not God's advice. We can get mixed up between the two, so how do we discern the difference?

SEEK GOD'S COUNSEL FIRST: His advice will not conflict with Scripture. "Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors." (Psalm 119:24) Sometimes it takes time to hear Him in prayer. Wait for Him. Abide in Him. Kneel before Him.

SEEK THE COUNSEL OF FRIENDS WHO ARE WALKING WITH GOD SECOND: "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22) Do you only want to be confirmed, or do you have relationships than can both admonish and rejoice with you? Many times well-intentioned friends can be misguided because they do not want us to suffer or they do not want the relationship to suffer by speaking the truth. A trusted friend will do both. Seek out wise counsel, then listen with discerning ears.

How about you? When someone asks for your advice, do you offer your opinion up on the spot all too willingly and hastily, or do you ask to pray about it and then come back with an answer? Then, if your answer proves to be wrong, are you willing to go back and admit it? Here are some things to consider when you are pondering on what to advise:

· Is your advice rooted in prayer before our Almighty God and Wonderful Counselor?(Isaiah 9:6)

· Is your advice rooted in the grace and truth of Jesus? (John 1:14)

· Is your advice rooted in the leading of the Holy Spirit? (Romans 8:14-15)

· Is your advice rooted in His Word? (Psalm 119:105)

· Is your advice trusting God by faith? (II Corinthians 5:7)

· Is your advice based on God's timing? (II Peter 3:8-9)

· Is your advice promoting the gospel? (Philippians 1:27)

· Is your advice based on what will bring God glory? (I Peter 4:11)

"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowlege of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10) 

Prove to be a trusted counselor by trusting in Him first.

HIS WORD IS A HIDDEN TREASURE - BUT YOU MUST DIG FOR IT

"HOW BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE WAY IS BLAMELESS, WHO WALK IN THE LAW OF THE LORD.  HOW BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO OBSERVE HIS TESTIMONIES, WHO SEEK HIM WITH ALL THEIR HEART." PSALM 119:1-2

In the beginning, God spoke and the world was formed. In Genesis 1 the phrase, "Then God said" is used nine times in the creation story.  Just think: He spoke us into existence!  HE IS THE SPOKEN WORD.

Then, thousands of years later, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14).  Jesus, the Son of God, came in bodily form, speaking truth and love and proclaiming the good news of salvation.  HE IS THE LIVING WORD.

Now, two thousand years later, we are waiting for Christ's return.  In Revelation 19 some of the names of Christ listed at His second coming are "Faithful" and "True" and "King of Kings" and "Lord of Lords", but it also says, "His name is called the Word of God." (Revelation 19:1).  HE IS THE REIGNING AND FINAL WORD.

In between, the prophets of old and the apostles of new recorded what they had seen and heard. It says in Hebrews 12: "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  HE IS THE WRITTEN WORD.

So, do we allow Him to pierce our heart with His Word daily?  Statistics say no.  Even though 90% of households in the United States own a Bible, only one in three of these households have opened and read this unique Book at least once in the last week.  We have settled for passiveness in the pews once a week instead.

The answer to this dilemma is found in the very heart and center of the Bible--well, almost. Here is a little Bible trivia for you to ponder:

Question:  What is the shortest chapter of the Bible?  Answer:  Psalm 117
Question:  What is the middle chapter of the Bible ?  Answer:  Psalm 118
Question:  What is the longest chapter of the Bible?  Answer:  Psalm 119
Question:  What is the theme of the longest chapter of the Bible? 
Answer:     Studying the Word of God.

One hundred and seventy six verses are devoted to being actively engaged with God's Word in Psalm 119:  His precepts, His laws, His testimonies, His commandments. It is filled to the brim with verbs--a call to action--to open up the Bible's pages and engage with the God of the Universe.  Here are a few examples:

• "How blessed are those who observe (a verb: to see, notice, behold, dig, discern, discover) His testimonies, who seek (a verb: to chase, delve, explore, inquire, investigate) Him with all their heart."(Psalm 119:2)
• "Make me understand the way of Your precepts, so I will meditate (a verb: to contemplate, consider, deliberate, study, think) on Your wonders." (Psalm 119:27)
• "I shall give thanks (a verb: to express gratitude, be grateful, show appreciation) to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn (a verb: to acquire information, be taught, be trained, burn the midnight oil, master, memorize) Your righteous judgements."  (Psalm 119:7)

This is only to name a few!  Other verbs which call us to action are to walk in liberty, take delight, diligently keep, be taught, tell others, run the way of His commandments, speak and not be ashamed, lift up your hands, be a companion to others who keep His precepts, restrain and/or turn our feet from evil, take comfort in times of affliction, not forget and rejoice (a verb: to express great joy, celebrate, delight, glory, triumph).

How about you?  Where are you in the journey of opening up God's Word? If you have never done this before, consider taking this 14-day challenge.  Open up to a book in the Bible in the New Testament.  Pray before reading that the Holy Spirit will give you understanding.  Then read a passage--a chapter or two each day--until God prompts your heart.  Sometimes it feels like a verse is jumping off the page at you.  As God speaks to you through His Word, respond by talking with Him through prayer.  Next, take a notebook out, write down the date, the verse, and what it said to you.  If nothing occurs, then write down the verses you read and leave that portion blank.  Repeat the next day by starting where you left off.  If you miss a day, start over: Day 1, Day 2, etc.  See what happens and then tell someone about your journey. 

Then, a corporate way in which you can enjoy fellowship and teaching is to join a bible study during the week.  Delve into His Word with others and explore scripture together. Dig deep; there is buried treasure there to discover together.

What if you are already well on your way to studying God's Word, both privately and corporately?  I have a challenge for you also.  Prayerfully consider reading through the Bible in one year (or two!). Log onto www.oneyearbibleonline.com to sign up for a daily e-mail and begin the Journey with Jesus.  You will not regret it!  "Those who love your Law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble." (Psalm 119:165)