Promise for Today - One King to Another

But when David’s ambassadors arrived in the land of Ammon, the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, their master, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the city so they can come in and conquer it!” So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame.

2nd Samuel 10:2c-4 NLT

David had only attempted to return the loyalty of King Nahash - one king to another - to offer condolences at the time of his death, but David's actions were egregiously misinterpreted.

Hanun's council of commanders gave him the wrong counsel. When he realized how angry David was, Hanun became more defensive and set himself for battle. He even went so far as to hire 43,000 additional men to fight. Forty-three thousand! And that was only for the first defensive round. They hired still more for the next battle - one in which 40,700 of Hanun's warriors were killed.

I wonder what would have happened if Hanun had admitted his mistake in following the wrong counsel, humbled himself to David, and made restitution to those he had shamed, then tried to seek peace... I'm inclined to believe that David would have forgiven him because David would have sought the counsel of God. After all, he often liked to show and share the kindnesses of God.

How often do we misinterpret someone's actions toward us, seek ungodly counsel, then get angry and vindictive? How long do we carry a grudge or some form of unforgiveness? Do we "hire" others to be angry with us?

Whose counsel will you follow?

Prayer:

Father,
          We choose to walk in forgiveness rather than bear the wrath of unforgiveness. Open our hearts to hear and follow only the counsel from the King of kings. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Counsel

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2 NKJV

As Christians, we frequently have things that are in need of repair and we'd like to have a guarantee that they'll be repaired properly and continue to function - especially things like hearts and relationships or body parts. Realistically, who do you want to go to when something like that happens? Someone who acts like he knows what he's doing? Or one who actually knows - has proven experience backed up in writing (the Word of God)?

Sometimes you get references like, You know, he's a good guy - has a great sense of humor. 
Yeah, I like to laugh, but does he know the Lord? Does he study the Word of God? 
Oh, I don't know about all that, but he's a good guy. He'll make you laugh and forget about all that other...

Do we want to forget and laugh or take the time to forgive and love? 

Bottom line - We wouldn't go to a podiatrist if we needed a cardiovascular surgeon. So, why would we go to a non-believer for advice about life and love? Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly...

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for wanting the quick fix or the one that most lines up with our comfort zone. Please continue to strategically place Godly people in our lives to keep us on the path You have illuminated with Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Love of Counsel

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.
Proverbs 27:9 NLT

I find it interesting that in this proverb, a friend's counsel is compared to perfume and incense, scents used to soothe one's soul. Well, more than one soul, for sure. Do you know that in the US alone the scented candle industry is valued at over 3 billion dollars? Yes, BILLION...

We love freshening our homes and offices with scents that are pleasing to our olfactory senses. We use them for aroma therapy and stress reduction. There is just something so comforting about the combined light and fragrance that invites you to come in, sit down and relax...

In the same way, when you're in need of a true friend's counsel, there is nothing sweeter or more loving. Trusted counsel is comforting in its ability to keep us safe, to help break down the walls of stress we build, to keep our hearts from hardening. That's what love does.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for faithful friends - those You've entrusted to us and us in return to them. Thank You for those with arms that hug us close, hands that reach out in support, and for those whose hearts beat in time with our own to lend strength for those days that need help. Thank You, Father, for these friends You've so lovingly given us as Your heart and hands extended. Bless them, Father, richly and often. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen