LIGHT OF COUNSEL

“Listen to COUNSEL and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days” (Pro.19:20).

The LIGHT of COUNSEL foils frustration, stagnation, and regrets in life: “Listen to COUNSEL and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days” (Pro.19:20). To be wise in one’s latter days means: to not end up in regrets!  Among Wisdom’s many children are: Instruction, Counsel, and Guidance. Psalm 16:7 says: “I will bless the LORD who has given me COUNSEL; my heart also INSTRUCTS me in the night seasons.” (Psa.16:7). God says, “I will INSTRUCT you and teach you in the way you should go; I will GUIDE YOU with My eye” (Psa. 32:8). God’s Counsel, given by the Holy Spirit, through His Word, faithful fathers or exemplary mentors, will manifest as Instruction and Guidance to the individual: “Hear, my son, and be wise; and GUIDE your heart in the way” (Pro.23:19).

Ordinarily, counsel refers to advice or opinion given upon consultation, deliberation or request. Scripturally however, God’s Counsel transcends mere advice, opinion or suggestion. Divine Counsel stands in the class of commands, decrees, design, and Will: “He who keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he who despises his ways will dies” (v.16). Proverbs 19:21 says, “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s COUNSEL – that will stand.” God always “works all things according to the COUNSEL of HIS WILL” (Eph.1:11). His Counsel is Immutable: “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the Immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation…” (Heb. 6:17). His Counsel stands firm!

God is “great in counsel and mighty in work” (Jer.32:19). He takes counsel from no one: “Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counsellor has taught Him?” (Isa.40:13); “who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counsellor?” (Rom.11:34). One of Messiah’s prophetic Names is “Counsellor”; and counsel is key part of the Seven-fold Spirit of the LORD: wisdom and understanding, COUNSEL and might, knowledge and of the fear of God“(Isa.9:6; 11:2). The Holy Spirit is “another Comforter”, meaning: Advocate, COUNSELLOR, Encourager, Helper, Intercessor, and Strengthener (Jh.14:16). This Great Counsellor is the Spirit of Truth – and the Source of all counsel and guidance (Jh.14:26; 16:13). 

Although God – through His Word and His Spirit – is our Ultimate Counsellor, He often raises human vessels as counsellors at key junctions in our lives. Paul reminded the elders of Ephesus: “I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). Are we as God’s servants endeavouring to seek and share His whole counsel? Also, God’s testimonies are counsellours: “Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors” (Psa.119:24).

Counsel is crucial: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Pro.11:14). Counsel founds plans; “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (Pro.15:22). We war by Counsel: “For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety” (Pro.24:6).

God’s Counsel always wins: “The LORD brings the counsel of the heathen to nought: He makes the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations” (Psa.33:10-11). When you walk in His Counsel, those who take counsel against you will utterly fail. God will hide you from their secret counsel, bring their counsel to nought, and make their devices of no effect (Psa.31:13; 33:10; 64:2). Those who rebel against the Counsel of the Most High always end up cast down (Psa.107:11-12). Why? “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the LORD” (Pro.21:30). People may scheme and amass resources and strength, but God’s counsel will always hold sway.

Beloved, to walk in God’s Counsel, you must avoid the counsel of the ungodly (Job 5:13; Psa.1:1). Key into the Light of Counsel. It is crucial to your life’s assignments: “Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war” (Pro.20:18).