When my mother died two years ago – 21 years after my dad’s death – my sister sent me a copy of one of my father’s college papers, which she discovered as she was cleaning out my parents’ home. This assignment of my dad’s was a written biography about the life of my great-grandfather, Horatio. As I read about this relative of mine that I never knew, I marveled at how this man came from a poor family of farmers in Italy to America to start a new life with his loved ones. Horatio worked hard for many years, and eventually, he bought some rental properties that would provide an ample income in his retirement for him and his family. Life was good, until my great-grandfather began taking bad advice from his own sons, who convinced him to invest in a business which eventually failed, and caused him to suffer a significant loss. Fortunately, Horatio had money in the bank, which kept him from losing everything. Several years later, though, his sons convinced him to invest in another business that went bankrupt, and this time, he and his family were left destitute. It was then that my grandmother – a young widow with two small sons (one of them being my father) – had to go to work to support her parents, as well as her own children.

As I thought about the devastating mistakes that my great-grandfather made, I recalled King David’s words in Psalm 1: “Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes]…” (Psalm 1:1 AMP) Horatio received and acted upon ungodly counsel from his sons, not just once, but twice. And it cost him dearly. You and I have to be very careful about who we receive advice from. God will send godly counselors into our lives as we walk closely with Him throughout each day, but He won’t force us to take their sound advice. Most of all, the Lord Himself offers to be our Guide. He says: “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” (Psalm 32:8-9 NLT) If we want God’s best in every area of our life, then it’s absolutely essential that we cooperate with Him all the way. Also, Jesus called the Holy Spirit who dwells in us the “Counselor,” whom He said would remain with us forever. (John 14:16 AMP) Along with the Word of God, we have everything we need to make wise decisions throughout our lives. (Psalm 119:105) Let’s not make the same mistakes that some of those who went before us made.

Prayer: Lord, teach me how to seek You for the wisdom and guidance that You promise me in Your Word. (James 1:5; Jeremiah 33:3) Bring godly counselors into my life, and help me to make the most of them. Guard me from ungodly advice that will lead me away from Your plans and purposes for me. Make me sensitive and obedient to Your Spirit’s leading in all things. Thank you that as I keep my eyes on You, “You will keep on guiding me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny!” (Psalm 73:24 NLT)