Choosing Wise Counselors

Psalm 119:23,24

    If someone files a court case against you, it would be wise to get legal help from one who can give you good advice and represent you as unjust charges are hurled at you before the judge. And as a child of God in the midst of a world where Satan uses crafty, clever men to try to get you accused of holding on to false doctrines, and of being guilty of walking in a sinful way, it is an act of wisdom to do as the psalmist writes in Psalm 119:23,24. He points out that "Princes also sit and speak against me: but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors."

    Turn to the word of God. Meditate in His statutes. Let His testimonies be your counselors. The point is that we had better know and quote the Scriptures for our defense. God must be our counselor as He speaks through His word. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness He quoted God's word, and each time He not only shielded Himself from Satan's arrows by it, but used it to pierce Satan.

    There are two activities which the psalmist tells us to perform when we are attacked or tempted to leave God's word and law, and to join those who err from God's commandments. We should meditate in God's statutes so that we know fully what they say to us. And we should seek the counsel which God has provided for us in His word.  Then we have weapons of defense but also of offense to drive our attackers away.

    The day is soon coming when princes, that is, government officials, are going to sit and speak against us. Yea even princes that are church officials will speak against us because we delight in God's statutes, laws, and testimonies.  Satan is working hard to destroy the church of Christ and to produce the false Christ which Scripture calls ''the man of sin."

    Let God's word counsel you as how to resist Satan and drive him away. Find comfort and hope in God's word and sing with the psalmist (PRC Psalter):

    I on Thy statutes meditate. 
    Though evil men deride;
    Thy faithful word is my delight, 
    My counselor and guide.

Read: Romans 7 
Psalter versification: #323:4

Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Judges 13 
Judges 14 
John 1:29-51 
Psalm 102:1-28 
Proverbs 14:15-16

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Quote for Reflection:

   "Almost every night I woke up, and the devil is there and wants to dispute with me. I have come to this conclusion: when the argument that the Christian is redeemed from the curse of the law doesn't help, (I roll over and ignore him). The rogue wants to dispute about righteousness although he himself is a knave. No man should be alone when he opposes Satan. The church and the ministry of the Word were instituted for this purpose, that hands may be joined together and one may help another. If the prayer of one doesn't help, the prayer of the other will." ~ Martin Luther