Counsel in Christ’s Community

I Chronicles 27:25–34

“Azmaveth son of Adiel was in charge of the royal storehouses. Jonathan son of Uzziah was in charge of the storehouses in the outlying districts, in the towns, the villages and the watchtowers. Ezri son of Kelub was in charge of the workers who farmed the land. Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards. Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine vats. Baal-Hanan the Gederite was in charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the western foothills. Joash was in charge of the supplies of olive oil. Shitrai the Sharonite was in charge of the herds grazing in Sharon. Shaphat son of Adlai was in charge of the herds in the valleys. Obil the Ishmaelite was in charge of the camels. Jehdeiah the Meronothite was in charge of the donkeys. Jaziz the Hagrite was in charge of the flocks. All these were the officials in charge of King David’s property. Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight and a scribe. Jehiel son of Hakmoni took care of the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s confidant. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar. Joab was the commander of the royal army.”

God desires for us to live in community within the Body of His Son, our LORD Jesus Christ. And in that community we seek and find wise counsel and we have that opportunity and privilege to become that same wise counsel others would gladly seek. This is where we often find assistance and know people who stand alongside in navigating through each and every area of life armed with precious Christian perspective coloured by unique experiences and diverse ways of looking at it, where at the end of each line of thought we may hear truth wrapped in pure love (Eph 4:15). Ultimately, our LORD is our wonderful counsellor (Isa 9:6) and yet He has also provided us helpers that represent Him on earth, and we would do best to surround ourselves with them and be the same to others too. In Living Life we read that “although ultimately, we seek God’s counsel through His Word and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there is also wisdom in surrounding ourselves with wise and godly counsel to keep us accountable and to prayerfully help us discern God’s will in our lives as we face decisions both great and small.” In living together in community, we “bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2)” and it is wise to “listen to advice and accept instruction,” that we may know God’s will, and “that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand (Prov 19:20–21).” I thank God for you all! And I want to thank you, for being part of the vibrant, holy, and wise Christian community God has blessed me with! May God Holy Spirit encourage, inspire, and make you wiser day after day after day, all the days of our lives!