Godly Counselors (1 Chronicles 27:33)

Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend.
—1 Chronicles 27:33

I read this verse, and I think about the effect that both of these men had on David as king and on the kingdom of Israel: Ahithophel as a counselor and Hushai as a friend. I think about Ahithophel’s counsel that was seen as like the Word of God, so important, yet how Hushai prevailed when both he and Ahithophel were both giving counsel during Absalom’s rebellion, which ended up saving David’s life. So I read this verse, and then I think about how important counselors and friends are in each of our lives. We need counselors and friends who speak good counsel into our lives and point us to obedience to God’s Word.

1 Chronicles 27:33 reminds us to seek out wise counselors.

And then I think about the role you and I have in others’ lives to give good, godly counsel. We want to point people to obedience to God’s Word and God’s will. So let’s just pray in both those directions. God, we pray, we ask for good friends and counselors today in each of our lives who point us to you. God, we pray for discernment, discretion, understanding, wisdom when we make decisions and when we hear counsel, to know that which is from your Spirit and what is not. God, we pray that you’d help us to surround ourselves with good, wise, godly counsel and that you would provide good, wise, godly friends for each of us.

And God, we pray that you would help us to be good, wise, godly counselors and friends in others’ lives. God, please lead us by your Spirit to build others up in you, to help others walk with you. And in all of this, God, we pray you’d help us to keep attuned to your wisdom through your Word and your Spirit. We praise you, Holy Spirit, as our counselor. We pray more than anything, as we make decisions, that you would help us, you would lead us, guide us, help us to seek you, inquire of you above all. And yes, we pray that you would speak through others ultimately.

1 Chronicles 27:33 calls us to be wise counselors.

God, we pray for discernment to hear what you are saying by your Spirit, through your Word. I pray even right now for people who are making decisions, some big decisions in their lives. God, please help them to hear from you and surround them with good, wise counselors who are a reflection of your voice and your Spirit and your Word. Oh God, we’re so thankful we don’t have to make decisions on our own, that you promise to give us the wisdom we need, that you put your Holy Spirit inside us to lead us, and you surround us with people who can point us to you.

So we pray that you’d help us to steward all of this in ways that follow you, your Word, your will for our lives, for your glory, for others’ good through our lives, and for our joy.

A Prayer for the Tocho People

And God, as we pray that, we pray for people who don’t have your Spirit and specifically who’ve never even heard of your wisdom in Jesus. God, we pray for the Tocho people of Sudan, for the 20-plus thousand Tocho men, women, and children who’ve never heard the good news of Jesus and the wisdom of the cross and your resurrection from the grave. God, we pray that the Tocho people of Sudan would be reached with the good news of your love.

And God, we pray for all those who are working right now for the spread of the gospel, whether among the Tocho or other people groups like them who don’t have access to the gospel. God, please fill them with your Spirit and lead them by your wisdom. Surround them with good counsel and friendships. We pray that you might help them to reach those without the gospel.

Oh God, thank you for your Word, your Spirit, for good friends and counselors, and for the opportunity to be friends and counselors to others. Help us to receive counsel and give counsel in ways that bring you great glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.