Good Counselors (1)

When we come into recovery we are strongly encouraged to quickly find a sponsor and listen to the advice of people who have been in the program for a while. This need to listen and learn from people with experience is not a new concept introduced by Alcoholics Anonymous.  For thousands of years the wisdom of God, as recorded in the Bible, has been reminding us that we need to pay attention to wise counsel if we are to succeed in recovery, and in all of life.  

I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.  Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!  (Psalm 119:24 MSG)

God knows that people coming through hard times need support, a second set of eyes, and helpful guidance as they journey forward.  Jesus knew his disciples would experience deep grief as they observed His suffering and death on the cross. He was concerned for them and is equally concerned for us when we go through grief and severe trials. When Jesus’ time had come He gathered His disciples around Him and spoke with them about the future.  He asked them to show their love for Him by doing those things He had taught them.  He also said that He would ask His Father to give them a wise counselor who would be with them forever.  Jesus wanted them to be cared for as His friends and not as people who were left without someone to counsel and guide them. 

Jesus told His friends, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.  I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. (John 14:15-18 RSV)

We live in difficult days.  Jesus knows what we need.  His prayer for us today is that we too would seek and find wise counsel to help us on our journey to life and peace.  Jesus is always present with us in the person of the Holy Spirit and He is the wisest counselor that anyone could have.   As we seek Him for guidance in every area of our lives He will show us fullness of truth Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NIV)

©2015 Partners in Hope