Thought for the Day

God's wisdom gives us sound counsel. Many people seek counsel in the wrong places and are advised to be selfish; to "look out for number one." Such advice is not based on God's wisdom but the world's. Many go to fortunetellers, psychics, horoscopes, and so forth for advice. Scripture warns that this type of counsel opens one's spirit to witchcraft. Seeking advice from anyone claiming to have supernatural power other than that of Christ's (as given to His prophets and servants) is an abomination to the Lord.

"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken" (Deuteronomy 18:10-15).

The above scriptures mention several wicked things that the nations of Canaan practiced. They sought counsel from divination, astrology (observing the times), enchanters or witches, the dead (necromancy), and seances (consulting with familiar spirits). They even burned their children as sacrifices to idols.

God commands that we seek counsel from Him, not demonic sources. He desires to direct us and give us His understanding. In Him alone are wisdom and strength. Moses, inspired by the Holy Spirit, told Israel to heed the Prophet whom God would raise up after him (Deuteronomy 18:15). That Prophet is Jesus.

We are also told that the way to overcome is not to rely on our own strength and wisdom, but to look to God for His counsel and advice - and the strength to obey Him. When we feel we cannot possibly do or face something, we can rely upon His promise to give us the strength to accomplish it. One of the best verses to claim for strength is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."Ephesians 6:10 tells us to "…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." It does not say to be strong in our strength, but "in the Lord, and in the power of his might." We can rely on God for all we need. We can trust Him to enable us to follow His counsel. In so doing we will walk in strength and victory!