Proverbs 19:20-21 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.
One of life’s daily chores is making decisions and planning what to do next. some decisions are larger than others and involve important consequences, but all decisions may be weighed and judged according to God’s Word. We desire wisdom to make wise decisions that will stand up in the long term. And God promises that.
”If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God…and it will be given him [James 1:5].” Our Lord, as a good Shepherd, will guide us and put us in the right path that will be good for us. Just ask. When the advice and counsel is from the Lord it will be wise and good. It will stand a long time.
One problem we have is that we don’t always know for sure when and how the Lord is speaking to us and leading us. But whatever decision we make, we check it with the Word to see if it lines up. Generally, if a decision is not sinful, and it gives a blessing, then go ahead with it.
This promise involves listening to the counsel and instruction of other people. There are two good reasons for listening to counsel. The first is that God usually prefers to speak to us through people, especially godly and mature Christians. At first, this seems contrary to our pride. We would rather hear directly from God than through another human. But this is how God works: He speaks through ordinary humans if we are humble enough to listen.
The second reason for listening humbly to counsel is that there are many devices in a man’s heart, and it is surprisingly easy to deceive ourselves. Many plans are in one’s mind, and some of them spring from selfish desire. We may test our own “devices” by testing them with the thoughts of others. And when we hear God’s counsel, even if it comes through lowly means, we have the promise that it will stand in the end.