A Foolish Wise Man

Ahithophel urged upon Absalom the necessity of immediate action against David…. This plan was approved by the king’s counselors. Had it been followed, David would surely have been slain, unless the Lord had directly interposed to save him. But a wisdom higher than that of the renowned Ahithophel was directing events….

Hushai had not been called to the council, and he would not intrude himself unasked, lest suspicion should be drawn upon him as a spy; but after the assembly had dispersed, Absalom, who had a high regard for the judgment of his father’s counselor, submitted to him the plan of Ahithophel. Hushai saw that if the proposed plan were followed, David would be lost. And he said, “The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time.” … He suggested a plan attractive to a vain and selfish nature, fond of the show of power…. “And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” But there was one who was not deceived—one who clearly foresaw the result of this fatal mistake of Absalom’s.

Ahithophel knew that the cause of the rebels was lost. And he knew that whatever might be the fate of the prince, there was no hope for the counselor who had instigated his greatest crimes. Ahithophel had encouraged Absalom in rebellion; he had counseled him to the most abominable wickedness, to the dishonor of his father; he had advised the slaying of David and had planned its accomplishment; he had cut off the last possibility of his own reconciliation with the king; and now another was preferred before him, even by Absalom.

Jealous, angry, and desperate, Ahithophel “gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died.” Such was the result of the wisdom of one, who, with all his high endowments, did not make God his counselor.
Conflict and Courage p. 183
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Prayer Requests
—–Please be in prayer for Daniel again as he is back in the ER and they still don’t know what is going on. My sister just texted me as they are all very concerned. He is not even 30 and they have one baby. Also please be in prayer for us today as we have a very special meeting at 9:30 this morning! Connie
—–Please pray for B that he will get a good paying job. L
—–Please pray for Chelsea and Josue as they continue to grieve the loss of their baby boy. Rose
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Dear Friends,

When I was four years old, I lived with my grandparents is a large, old, wooden house. My bedroom was upstairs. There were many things about that house that scared me. All little children get scared of common sounds, but because my grandparents were friends with a spiritualist, who used to tell me many scary things, I was a little more frightened than most children. The house creaked and groaned as the boards expanded or contracted, but to a little child, it sounded like someone walking up the stairs. No matter how hot the night was, I would not uncover even my head. The ceiling was papered with a wallpaper that had silver swirls that, when the moon shone on it, looked like hundreds of eyes staring at me. I could not sleep well because I was so terrified.

One early morning, before the sun came up, I got up and opened the door to go downstairs. Since I was still half-asleep, I opened the closet door instead. As I closed the door behind me, I suddenly was aware that I was shut into a small, dark, stuffy place with lots of people surrounding me. I was panic stricken. I felt like I could not breathe. Of course it was only the clothing hung in the closet that was surrounding me, but I had no idea that I was in the closet. In my fright I didn’t know where I was. I
screamed and screamed until finally I was rescued out of that scary prison.

How often we get ourselves into situations that leave us frightened and confused. How often we think we know the right way, but get ourselves into great trouble. Thank God we have Someone Who will deliver us! Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:11-15 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” verse 27 He will care for us and protect us. “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isa. 40:11

What a Wonderful Saviour! The Great Creator of the Universe cares for each of us as if there were no other! He promises, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psa. 32:8 We have Someone Who will lead us through this sinful old world. We have a Guide and a Protector! We do not have to go through life alone. We do not have to find our own way. If we try to guide ourselves, we will find ourselves trapped, frightened, and confused.

May we ask Jesus to guide us. May we give Him our heart fully and completely. May we follow Him all the way to the Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.
Rose