2 Samuel Chapter 18: Verses 2-4 (NIV)
David sent out his troops, a third under the command of Joab, a third under Joab’s brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, and a third under Ittai the Gittite. The king told the troops, “I myself will surely march out with you.” But the men said, “You must not go out; if we are forced to flee, they won’t care about us. Even if half of us die, they won’t care; but you are worth ten thousand of us. It would be better now for you to give us support from the city.”
The king answered, “I will do whatever seems best to you.”
So the king stood beside the gate while all his men marched out in units of hundreds and of thousands.
As King, David generally took a very active role in warfare, often leading by example from the front. On this occasion too, it seems he intended to do the same. However, he was advised not to, as he would have been more of a hinderance and put the troops in danger. He recognised the wisdom of what he’d been told and took a step back, although this wouldn’t have been an easy thing for him to do
We should always pay heed to wise advice and recognise God’s hand in it, even if it seems to go against what we would have chosen to do ourselves. God often sends us wise friends or counsellors to guide us in the way He wants us to go. We must remember that He sees the whole picture whereas we see only part of it, and He knows how best we should go. Sometimes that means we need to take a step back, or a more supportive role rather than a leading one. Both roles are important and necessary in God’s plans for us.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the advice from others who are directed by You. Teach me to listen and recognise Your hand before I act. I acknowledge that sometimes Your plan takes a direction I wouldn’t have chosen, but I know it’s the best one. Thank You. Amen.