And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time. For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. (2 Sam. 17:7-10
Absalom listened to the counsel of Ahithophel but wisely consulted with Hushai concerning the pursuit of David. Ahithophel schemed to eradicate David alone, at his weakest, and to establish Absalom as king by the death of David. However, his scheme was thwarted by Hushai reminding Absalom that David was no simple king but a warrior king who had evaded Saul and knew all the places to hide and ambush Absalom’s men and gain the victory. Absalom would have to take all who would come and go forth himself if he was to have any chance of defeating David and winning the kingdom for himself. Hushai relayed his plan to David through his spies and Absalom prepared his army for the long fight ahead.
Absalom was inclined to hear Ahithophel but was led to ask of Hushai what they should do to defeat David. Hushai did not directly insult Ahithophel nor his counsel but set it at naught by pointing out a better way for Absalom. Hushai knew as well that he would pass on whatever they decided to David and his counsel would be better in the long run for all. Absalom would not be able to track down David and defeat him in hiding just as Saul had not been able to, and a direct force might bring all of Israel to Absalom’s side, or at least Hushai convinced Absalom that going forth himself would do so. Absalom agreed with Hushai on the direct confrontation and going forth himself to cement his right to the throne. Absalom’s rejection of Ahithophel led Ahithophel to take his own life and set up the battle between the forces of David and Absalom.
It is not always easy to know which advice to take when we are confronted with what seems to be good advice from multiple corners but which do not agree. Those who are in Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary can however rely on Him to guide us into all Truth and direct our paths. Christians can trust God to work all things out for good, for His glory and our growth in Him, and so we turn to Him when we are not sure what to do. Of course, all who are His should be listening to His voice as we go, but especially when we receive conflicting advice, we ought to turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His face to know His will. He has given us all that we need for godliness and holiness in this life, and we can seek counsel from His Word and let the Spirit of God speak to us in order to follow His path and His plan for the ministry we have to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word for as long as we are here.
Until God is done with us He has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
Absalom was inclined to hear Ahithophel but was led to ask of Hushai what they should do to defeat David. Hushai did not directly insult Ahithophel nor his counsel but set it at naught by pointing out a better way for Absalom. Hushai knew as well that he would pass on whatever they decided to David and his counsel would be better in the long run for all. Absalom would not be able to track down David and defeat him in hiding just as Saul had not been able to, and a direct force might bring all of Israel to Absalom’s side, or at least Hushai convinced Absalom that going forth himself would do so. Absalom agreed with Hushai on the direct confrontation and going forth himself to cement his right to the throne. Absalom’s rejection of Ahithophel led Ahithophel to take his own life and set up the battle between the forces of David and Absalom.
It is not always easy to know which advice to take when we are confronted with what seems to be good advice from multiple corners but which do not agree. Those who are in Christ by faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary can however rely on Him to guide us into all Truth and direct our paths. Christians can trust God to work all things out for good, for His glory and our growth in Him, and so we turn to Him when we are not sure what to do. Of course, all who are His should be listening to His voice as we go, but especially when we receive conflicting advice, we ought to turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His face to know His will. He has given us all that we need for godliness and holiness in this life, and we can seek counsel from His Word and let the Spirit of God speak to us in order to follow His path and His plan for the ministry we have to reach the lost, teach the nations, and preach His Word for as long as we are here.
Until God is done with us He has sent those of us who are His saints and know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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