38 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
38 lines
4.4 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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September 14
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<h1>Isaiah Warning against Worldly Counsel</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>"<b>Woe</b> to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who <b>take counsel</b>, but <b>not of Me</b>, and who <b>devise plans</b>, but <b>not of My Spirit</b>, that they may add sin to sin. Who walk to go down to <b>Egypt</b>, and have <b>not</b> asked <b>My advice</b>."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 30, '1-2');">Isaiah 30:1-2</a>)</div>
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<p>Those who want to live by <b>grace</b> (living by God working in and through their lives) characteristically depend upon the <b>counsel</b> of the <b>Lord</b>. Correspondingly, they have a burden to <b>warn against worldly counsel</b>, which undermines, or substitutes itself for God's counsel. <i>"'<b>Woe</b> to the rebellious children,' says the LORD, 'Who <b>take counsel</b>, but <b>not of Me</b>.'"</i></p>
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<p>Everyone needs counsel consistently. We all need to find valid guidance and direction through the opportunities and challenges of life. The Lord is to be our constant resource for such counsel. <i>"This also comes <b>from the LORD</b> of hosts, who is <b>wonderful in counsel</b> and <b>excellent in guidance</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 28, '29-29');">Isaiah 28:29</a>). The counsel of the Lord is wonderful; it is excellent! In fact, when Messiah would come (Jesus, the Christ), one of His descriptive title names would be "<b>Wonderful Counselor</b>" (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 9, '6-6');">Isaiah 9:6</a>). This wonderful counsel of God comes to us through the word of God. <i>"<b>Your testimonies</b> also are my delight and <b>my counselors</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 119, '24-24');">Psalm 119:24</a>).</p>
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<p>Consequently, those who turn elsewhere for counsel are rebelling (at least, inadvertently) against the Lord. <i>"'<b>Woe</b> to the rebellious children,' says the LORD, 'Who <b>take counsel</b>, but <b>not of Me</b>.'"</i> Our God of grace wants to counsel us down His path. He wants to teach us to live by <b>His wisdom</b> and <b>His provision</b>. When we are formulating our plans, He wants us to allow <b>His Spirit</b> to direct us through <b>His word</b>. The only other option is to lean on the counsel of the world: <i>"who <b>devise plans</b>, but <b>not of My Spirit</b>…</i> <i>who walk to go down to <b>Egypt</b>, and have <b>not</b> asked <b>My advice</b>."</i> God strongly warned His children of the vanity of seeking the worldly wisdom of Egypt. <i>"You are <b>wearied</b> in the <b>multitude</b> of your <b>counsels</b>; let now the <b>astrologers</b>, the <b>stargazers</b>, and the <b>monthly prognosticators</b> stand up and <b>save</b> you from <b>these things</b> that shall come upon you"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 47, '13-13');">Isaiah 47:13</a>).</p>
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<p>The church world today frequently turns to the contemporary speculations of man. The wisdom of man is a vain help. We would do well to consider Isaiah's clear warning. <i>"<b>Woe</b> to those who go down to <b>Egypt</b> for <b>help</b>…who do <b>not look to</b> the <b>Holy One</b> of Israel, <b>nor seek</b> the <b>LORD</b>!"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 31, '1-1');">Isaiah 31:1</a>).</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord Jesus, my Wonderful Counselor, forgive me for the many times that I have turned to worldly counsel. I see that such a choice interferes with Your work of grace in my life. Please remind me day by day to seek all of the counsel I need through the Holy Spirit unfolding the wisdom of Your word, Amen.</div>
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