But as he was speaking, the king said to him, “Have we made you a royal counselor? Stop! Why should you be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”
2 Chronicles 25:16 (ESV)
Lord, how many times have I told someone who was rebuking me or challenging my decisions, “Stop! Who made you boss over me?” Because I did not like what they were saying, how they said it, or it conflicted with what I was saying, thinking, or doing? I immediately assumed that it was from their own personal leanings or aspirations, them asserting themselves into my business verses putting my pride to the side and just openly listening. How many times have I missed Your gracious attempts to stave off the negative consequences of wrong decisions because I have not heeded the counsel of those You have placed in my way? How many times have I had to go through some stuff that I could have avoided had I just listened?
Today, I purpose to do just that. You have showed me over the course of these days that You are at work in my life and the lives of those around me. I have seen Your fingerprints plain in clear in so many places. I know that You are doing something great in my life. I ask that You would help me to crucify my flesh, kill it today, and help me to be humble and gentle like my Savior, receiving from those around me the wisdom that You choose to impart to me through their counsel. Grant me the discernment to know when You are speaking to me through them. And give me a heart to heed their words. You have raised me up not to lead but to serve (Matthew 26:6-7), not to lord it over anyone but to lay down my life for them (1 John 3:16). And I know that it begins with receiving instruction. So, please speak LORD, however You choose to through whomever You will, for Your servant is listening. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.