Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 57 – Proverbs 15:22 – Many Advisers – Growing As Disciples
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)
Wise Counsel
Do you want to receive wise counsel? Will you listen to trusted advisors? Those are two questions that seem very easy to answer. But you aren’t so sure of your answers, are you? No, I am not. Why is that? I know that it is easy, in theory to say that I want wise counsel and that I will listen to trusted advisors. So, saying yes in theory is much harder than saying yes in your actual practice, is that correct? The difficulty is correct. My answer, however, is not correct. I would like to hear more from you on this subject. As you know, I have been stubborn. I have been filled with pride. I have tended to follow my own advice and listen to my own counsel. Yes, that comes as no surprise to me. I have observed you in action. Keep talking, I’m listening. Well, because I have not received wise counsel from trusted advisers, I have experienced many setbacks. I have suffered many defeats. I have had to retrace my steps. I have had to start over. Fortunately, you have always allowed me to begin again. You are the God of second chances, there is no doubt about that. You have forgiven my sins. You have cleansed my unrighteousness. You have shown me your kindness and mercy and love. You have even allowed me to learn from my mistakes, missteps, and sins. That is a painful way to learn, don’t you think? Yes, it is. What would you like to do differently? What changes are you willing to make? I am willing to listen attentively to you. I am willing to slow down and quiet myself before you, so I can hear from you. I am willing to set aside my thoughts and plans and goals. I am willing to let go of my agenda. Why are you willing to do all these things? I want to know your will. I want to walk in your ways. I would much prefer your thoughts and plans, and goals. Why is that? Your ways are so much higher and better than mine. I want to accomplish your purposes and fulfill your plans. That is very good. Tell me what you know about trusted advisers. They are valuable. They are rare. They may not offer wise counsel without being given permission. Explain what you mean. If I send off signals that I will not receive wise counsel from trusted advisers, I will be unlikely to hear any. That’s true. Will you seek wise counsel? Will you listen to trusted advisers? Yes, I will. That’s good, because I have been and will continue to bring them into your life. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, in times past, I have not sought out trusted advisers. I have relied on myself by following my own counsel. What a mistake. I have suffered unnecessary setbacks. Plans have failed. I have experienced defeat. Now, I will listen to trusted advisers you give to me. Amen
Key Question… Why is it a foolish mistake to think that you don’t need trusted advisers to give you wise counsel?
Living It Out… Rely on God to place trusted advisers in your life to give you wise counsel.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will place trusted advisers in your life to give you wise counsel.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has used trusted advisers to give you wise counsel.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you receive wise counsel from trusted advisers the Lord brings into your life.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
Promises – Day 57 – Proverbs 15-22- Many Advisers – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide
Please consider sharing these devotionals with others through the social media you use.
Individual users may save the Discipleship Devotional Study Guide to their desktop for private use. All the blanks in the study guides are fields that allow typed responses. To use the fields on the study guide you may need to open the guide with a free version of adobe reader.
By Jon Ulrich © All rights reserved Copying not permitted www.GrowingAsDisciples.com
