Counsel

"I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved." (Psalm 16:7-8 NKJ)

After praying for several days about a personal concern, I called the pastor for a counseling appointment. When I arrived he was waiting with a smile on his face. We talked briefly of the weather and family before moving into the reason I had come. I opened my heart and explained what was troubling me.

As we talked, the pastor asked a few questions and joyfully quipped a few one-liners to soften the serious side of things. After a few minutes, he offered a straight-from-the-shoulder  perspective of my issue, then instructed me with practical and biblical counsel.

It is interesting to me that my pastor's counsel was the same as what the Spirit had already instructed me. I learned that day to trust the Lord and bless him for his counsel. In addition, I learned to listen to the instructions of my heart in the seasons of trouble and dark side of life.

This Psalm reminds me of that old hymn, "I Shall Not Be Moved." The pastor said, "Make certain the Lord is always the top priority in life. Be sure that he is the first one you listen to. When the Lord is by your side, you will never be defeated."

Forty years later, that is still good, solid counsel and instruction because it is biblically based. Set the Lord always before you. If he is at your right hand you will never be defeated. And my heart continually blesses the Lord for his counsel.

Dear Father, thank you for the counsel of your Word and your Spirit. Grant that I may constantly enjoy your right-hand instruction. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Listen to the Lord's counsel today,