II Samuel 17:6

"And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spake unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? if not; speak thou."

The art of political jocking for position is not fun to watch. Absalom has come into the city, he has sought counself from one of the wisest of men, Ahithophel. David's secret agent is Hushai, there for one purpose and that is to counter anything Ahithophel speaks. Ahithophel's counsel, if it had been acted on, could have captured or killed David and confirmed the kingdom into Absaloms hands. The one key to this is that found in verse 14, the Lord was against Ahithophels counsel and against Absalom. When the Lord sets His anger against a man or a kingdom, there is no hope for them. And when Hushai was come to Absalom - word study, to come; he had been called for and was obedient unto his new king; He was in the presence of king Absalom, even though his heart was for king David. Let us not be placed in such scenarios's of having divided hearts and loyalities. It has been repeated over and over in history. Many unbelieving children of God bowed to the stature of Nebuchadnezzar, but only Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego stood up against it. Many Christians confessed that Caesar was God, even though their hearts were loyal to Jesus and the first church struggled with these that had done such things. And what say we of today? Is it true of us, 'they profess me with their mouths, but their hearts are far from me'? Many a person will say they beleive in God, but their heart is for sin and self. But the difference is when a person does not come into the presence of Absalom, but when a person comes in His Presence, they are changed forever. Have you come into His Presence? Have you communed with King Jesus? Is He your Lord and Savior and Master and Redeemer? Stay true to Him at all costs. Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner - the wisdom of the world is different than what God's wisdom is; many a man speaks 'after this manner', that does not make it right. One of the abilities of the devil today is that God's people do not know His Word, therefore they are deceived in many things because they do not know the Truth that sets men free. The Scripture says, 'Try the spirits to see what they are'. How can we if we know not the Spirit and He speaks and teaches us? Ahithophel was wise in his counsel, the only mark against him was that the Lord was against him. So that no matter how wise he was, God would turn him into a fool. For the will of the Lord will be done, as He sees fit. Shall we do after his saying? great questions of the Bible; Shall we follow the ways of man or the ways of the Lord? This is what this reasoning boils down to. Isn't it amazing that their is none that is speaking for the Lord, they are all wicked men seeking the devices and pride of man. Not one prophet rises up to say to Absalom, 'Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting'. And even though, that worked for Daniel against the king of Babyloin, others have done it and lost their life on the spot for speaking truth. A people that have no understanding is in need to ask this question. A child of God that hears the Father speak and knows His mind (as best finite can understand infinite) will follow rightly. They know lies and deception and they abhor it and follow not after it. Many a person that sits in the pews of today do not know what they should do nor how they should do it. They look at the ways of the world, those intermingled with the church and the path of holiness and they ask, 'should we do after which saying?' They know not, for they know God. For the only way to know God is to be still and know Him. How still have you been today? If not; speak thou - he was given an opportunity to speak and declare; and so do we, somewhere a long the line, God gives us the chance to speak to the lost and the wayward. Many a time it is int he funeral home, ICU, after tragedy and difficulties, but we are given that moment to speak. We are to be ready for such moments to speak rightly. We are to be prepared and see the opportunity opening up before us. 'If not' the way they are in and the decisions that they are getting ready to make are not right, they are sinful. Speak, speak the truth, declare the warning, lest they perish. I feel many a soul in this world will be able to stand before the Lord and say, 'I did not know the weight of my decision. No one ever told me.' And the Lord will look at me and the church and say, 'Did you not speak?' Shame and silence, 'For what shall I say when I am reproved by Him.'