Day 87, or March the 28th. Too many opinions
can spoil your guidance. Our thoughts today are
rooted in 2 Samuel chapter 17, verse 6. When
Hushai came to him, Absalom said, Ahithophel
has given this advice. Should we do what he says?
If not, give us your opinion. And now the big
picture surrounding this verse. David gets his
kingdom back, but he is far from happy. God answers
his prayers that his old advisors give contrary
advice to Absalom, and the decision to accept
the guidance of Hushai proves fatal. Of course,
this didn't make David sad, but what happened
next did. Absalom was a particular favourite
of David, and he gave clear orders that he may
be captured but not killed. sadly the orders
were ignored when Absalom was found dangling
by his long hair caught up in a tree he is murdered
and David painfully cries out I wish it had been
me and now to -day's action step as Absalom attempts
to establish his position as king he continues
to seek advice from his father's advisors he
seeks the advice of the two main ones who give
opposite advice Asking advice too many times
can be counterproductive. When I study the scriptures,
I go to the Bible text first and then to commentaries
later. I want to know what God says first and
then what some people say later. I try to use
this principle in life as well. My wife and I
need to be one before we take any action. First
guidance from the Bible, then other people, in
that order. Too often you can be blown off track
by hearing the opinion of others. When we moved
to Frinton -on -Sea in 1982, we didn't discuss
it with anyone else until the call to move was
clear. The leaders then told us at our church
in the north -east of England that they were
considering making a call to us too. When we
look back, it would have been even more difficult
to leave and move south if we had been given
a choice. We knew then and know now that we made
the right move, and we thank God that we didn't
confuse the issue by seeking other opinions.
Be confident in what God tells you.