O LORD, Command Songs of Deliverances!

"And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray Thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness." —II Samuel 15:31 [KJV]

 

Clouds gathered very fast and grew very black at this time over the head of king David. His own beloved son had drawn the sword of rebellion—his subjects flocked in great numbers; and to heighten the king's distress, his own counsellor joined the conspiracy. But under all this David shewed himself to be a man after God's own heart. His soul looks through every discouragement. He knew the throne of grace to be ever open and accessible, therefore the very tidings that brought sorrow to his heart, he instantly makes the subject of his prayer. Happy conduct! when before carnal reason is suffered to plead, the prayer of faith is presented. Too, too oft do disciples, upon hearing disagreeable tidings, consult flesh and blood before they apply to their ever-loving and faithful friend Jehovah. This ought not so to be. According to David's faith and prayer so the Lord answered him. The counsel which he had reason to dread from Ahithophel, was defeated by the Lord, and turned to his own destruction. Thus "the LORD only is our refuge and strength; a very present help in every time of trouble."—Psalm 46:1.  

Knowest thou not, disciple, there is treason and rebellion found with thee against David's Lord, even Jesus, thy king? Not greater reason had David to fear, and to pray against Ahithophel's counsel, than thou hast daily. As his name signifies brother of ruin or folly, it reminds one of the flesh, a brother or partaker of the ruin of sin with the soul; and also that its wisdom is ever with us, is ever counselling and conspiring against the peace and safety, the love and holiness, the joy and happiness of the soul in Christ Jesus. It not only counsels against, but lusts contrary to the Spirit continually. May this be our daily prayer in the spirit and in faith, O Lord, turn the counsel of the flesh into foolishness, confound its pride, destroy its lusts, subdue its passions, suffer us not to confer with flesh and blood, let us not sow to the flesh; but enable us to confer with Thee by faith. May our conversation be in heaven! So strengthen us to put off the old man with his deeds, until we put off the body, to be "sown in dishonor, and to be raised in glory."—I Corinthians 15:43.  

 

Arise, my soul, my joyful pow'rs, 

And triumph in my God; 

Awake, my voice, and loud proclaim 

His glorious grace abroad.  

Christ rais'd me from the deeps of sin, 

The gates of gaping hell, 

And fixt my standing more secure

 Than 'twas before I fell. 

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)