Devotional - May 30, 2004

David knew the word of God was responsible for revealing God's will, but knowing that didn't stop him from often asking the opinion of other men. One of his counselors was named Ahithophel, who also advised his son Absalom while he was trying to take David's life and his throne.

Scripture says that Ahitophel's counsel sounded like someone who "inquired of God." (2Sam 16:23) Have you ever heard someone preach or pray who sounds like they've got God's attention. It seems people often request my prayer because they either like the way I pray or have read my prayer journal and believe I "inquire" of God (like Ahitophel).

Well, this may come as a shock, but I'm not the first or the last person to have ever sounded good who doesn't always inquire of the Lord. You see, Ahitophel may had the king's ear, but he was consistently giving wrong advice. David learned however over time that you can't always trust the one who sounds like he has God's ear.

Hushai was a friend of David's whom he also regarded as a counsel. David sent him to undo the counsel that Ahithophel was giving to his son Absalom, something he did quite nicely I might add. Counselors can truly be useful even when their advice is based on a contrary agenda. It can certainly get you into trouble if you're not careful.

Speaking as someone who sometimes sounds like I "inquire of the Lord," I can do that without looking and also without having talked with God. That may come as a surprise to you, but it's honest. In fact, if preachers were really honest, they'd admit having the tendency to do the same thing. All too many times we assume the pulpit without having assumed a position of prayer before hand.

When we open our mouth to minister, it seems someone is listening to hear what God is saying. But too many times our last inquiry of the Lord was actually more like a one way conversation than anything else. OK, I admit it! I'm human, but what about you? Why are you coming to me? You've got the same ability and limitation to approach God as I do. So, why don't you go there yourself?

Please don't misunderstand. I love praying for people, but it seems as if the vast majority of the church is looking for someone else to approach God on their behalf. Who knows if such refusal is based on a lack of information, laziness or simply fear of the unknown. Regardless of the reason, it's not pleasing to God when you look for someone through whom to access the Father except Jesus. He is not only THE Way; He is the ONLY Way!

A prayer intercessor goes through Jesus and that is exactly the same way we all go. The real question I guess, is where are you making your query? I could give you wrong advice or tell you a lie for my personal benefit. (Actually I won't do that, but I could!)

After all is said and done, I feel the end result of looking for someone other than Jesus to intercede for you is the reason most of our churches are dead - without God's blessing. It's also the reason our congregations are lethargic and apathetic.

When we look for someone to do something for which God has equipped us, we wind up regarding someone as far more important than they really are. And when they stop inquiring of the Lord and begin to listen to our opinion, they begin to think pretty highly of themself. Before long, no one is inquiring of the Lord even though some sound like it.

And there you have the state of the average church in America today. It sounds good, but here's not much inquiring going on.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 2Sa. 15:23-16:23 Jn. 18:25-19:22 Ps. 119:113-131 Pr. 16:10-11 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society