Trickery Most Foul

Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel. What shall we do?” 2 Samuel 16:20

Even trusted leaders can fall. It happens so often. So how do we avoid being burned?

Good people can change. Good people can be persuaded to make very bad decisions through trickery and deceit. King David ended up being betrayed by his own advisor, Ahithophel. Say that name three times fast! He was the grandfather of David’s wife, Bathsheba. Yes, that very one. So not only was this man David’s trusted advisor, he was family. It also involved his son, Absalom. It wasn’t the first time he was betrayed by family. It wouldn’t be the last either. But isn’t that how it happens? Maybe the betrayal comes from blood or adoptive family. Or worse yet, it sometimes comes from God’s family.

So what do I do when it happens to me? I have to understand that each and every one of us is fallible. None of us gets it right all the time. And that includes the people that I look up to. Ahithophel may have been deceived. Out of that would most definitely come bad counsel. History is full of murders and wars stemming from bad information. Leaders are also as vulnerable as anyone else to volatile emotions. One bad argument between King David and his advisor could have easily set off these horrible actions.

While we shouldn’t be suspicious of leaders, we need to be wise. If I stick closely to Jesus, I will be less likely to second-guess myself because I will know that I am going on much more than just a hunch. And it’s always a good idea to have more than one person that to go to for advice. Earlier in his reign, the prophet Nathan rashly told David to do whatever was in his heart regarding his desire to build a temple. But this wasn’t God’s will. In the end, only our Heavenly Father is omniscient and I can always trust Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know I can trust You to guide me and take care of me. You are perfect and will always give me what I need. So today, I’m asking for you to give me wisdom. Your word says that You will not withhold it from me. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen

Journal:

List times when you or someone you know was given bad advice by a trusted person.

Look up the word wisdom in the Bible. How does God give wisdom?