Counsel or Devices? — Acts 20:17-27
“Devices originate with men. Counsel originates with God.”
What will be your legacy? Of what will people think when they remember you? The Apostle Paul lived in such a way after his conversion that there would be little doubt how people remembered him. “ Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God ” (Acts 20:26-27). He left as his legacy that he shared the Truth of God’s Word, the Whole Truth of God’s Word, and nothing but the Truth of God’s Word. He shared all God gave to him and refused to compromise or dilute any of it. Such a legacy has its difficulties. Paul did not always enjoy great popularity.
For his faithfulness to give the “whole counsel of God” here was Paul’s earthly reward: “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches ” (II Corinthians 11:22-28). But Paul believed his faithfulness to his task would work for him “ a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Corinthians 4:17).
Do you have a pastor who is faithful to preach God’s Word? Is he more concerned with pleasing God than with pleasing his listeners? Paul said, “ for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Will you encourage your pastor this week? He needs it. His task is a difficult one. A faithful minister often has to reprove and rebuke. He does not always see the fruit of his labors because he is planting the seeds of God’s Word while others water and still others reap the harvest. He labors at a job to lead sometimes-unwilling listeners to make decisions of eternal consequence. And often he lives in a state of prolonged fatigue because he works a second job to make ends meet. Meanwhile people wonder why he cannot devote more time to them. Will you pray for this man?
Some people want “devices” instead of “counsel.” Proverbs 19:21 makes a distinction between the two: “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” What is the difference between devices and counsel?
Devices originate with man. Counsel originates with God.
Man’s devices center on his shifting and fickle feeling and thoughts. God’s counsel centers around His unchanging Word.
Man’s devices have uncertain goals and effectiveness. God’s counsel unfailingly leads to what is best for us and to what brings glory to God.
Man’s devices cannot be hidden from God. God’s counsel is hidden to all but those to whom His Word and His Spirit reveals it.
Man’s devices lead to selfishness, folly, and uncertainty. God’s counsel results in wisdom, life, and stability.
Man’s devices seek to alter present circumstances. God’s counsel focuses on eternal realities.
Man’s devices lead ultimately to the ruin. God’s counsel restores individuals to full, productive, and blessed lives. Which do you want? Paul chose to give God’s counsel.
Will you decide right now to spend some time each day this week seeking God’s counsel in the book of Proverbs for a particular situation in your life? Do that and you will find the wisdom you need for your problem. Now, what will be your legacy? Will you decide today to make known the whole counsel of God’s Word in both your words and your actions?
Author: Robert W. Rohlin
This devotional first appeared August 1, 1999in the Advancer , a Sunday school teacher’s guide published by the Baptist Publishing House . It is gratefully reproduced here with permission from the publisher.