Why is seeking God's counsel crucial in our daily decision-making? Opening the Passage “ ‘For who has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has paid attention to His word and obeyed?’ ” (Jeremiah 23:18) What’s Happening in Jeremiah 23 • False prophets were claiming to speak for God but had never entered His council room. • God exposes the difference between empty human ideas and the sure, living word that proceeds from His presence. • Jeremiah’s question presses every generation: Have we actually waited before the Lord and listened? Why Divine Counsel Matters in Daily Decisions • God alone sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). • His wisdom is flawless, unlike our limited understanding (Proverbs 3:5). • Every decision reverberates into eternity; His counsel aligns us with eternal purposes (2 Corinthians 4:18). • Ignoring His guidance invites confusion and regret, just as Judah suffered under deceptive voices (Jeremiah 23:32). How Scripture Describes the Safety of God’s Counsel 1. Direction: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) 2. Stability: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) 3. Discernment: “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130) 4. Completeness: “All Scripture is God-breathed … so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Everyday Areas That Need His Counsel • Relationships: whom to trust, forgive, or pursue (Ephesians 4:32) • Work and vocation: motives, integrity, calling (Colossians 3:23-24) • Stewardship of money and time (Proverbs 3:9) • Moral crossroads: Truth vs. culture’s pressure (Romans 12:2) Practical Steps to Stand in His Council • Begin each day opening the Bible, expecting God to speak. • Invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate the text (John 16:13). • Compare impressions with clear scriptural teaching; God never contradicts Himself. • Seek wise, biblically grounded counsel from mature believers (Proverbs 11:14). • Act promptly on what He reveals; obedience sharpens hearing (John 7:17). Warnings Against Substitutes • Human intuition divorced from Scripture (Jeremiah 17:9). • Majority opinion: crowds once shouted “Hosanna,” then “Crucify Him.” • Quick fixes: Saul lost his kingdom by rushing ahead without waiting for the Lord (1 Samuel 13:8-14). • Mystical shortcuts: feelings, dreams, or signs that bypass biblical testing (1 John 4:1). Encouraging Rewards for Those Who Listen • Peace that guards the heart (Philippians 4:7). • Confidence that our choices please the Lord (1 John 3:22). • Fruit that endures, bringing glory to God (John 15:8). • A legacy that guides others to the same faithful God (Psalm 78:4-7). Closing Reflection Standing in the Lord’s council is not a privilege for prophets alone; through His Spirit-breathed Word, every believer is invited to see, hear, and obey. Decisions shaped in that sacred space bear the fragrance of heaven and the stability of eternity. |
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