‘Has your Counsellor perished?’ (Micah 4:9)

The Lord’s people need counsel, and Jesus is given to them as a COUNSELLOR. He is exactly suited to their needs, being possessed of infinite wisdom, unbounded benevolence, great experience, and high honour. He never lost a cause. He counsels freely, cheerfully, and successfully. He turns the counsel of all our foes into foolishness.

But although we have this wonderful Counsellor, we neglect to consult, employ or trust Him; and so it may often be asked of us, “Has your Counsellor perished?” If not, why this perplexity? Why these mistakes? Why these fears, and groans and forebodings? Why this running to others for advice and support?

Dear friends, let’s stand reproved; we have walked in our own counsel, we have not waited for His counsel; we have neglected and forgotten Jesus in this office. In future, let us never act without His counsel, never employ others to His dishonour, never listen to Satan when He would persuade us not to apply to, trust in, and expect advice from JESUS AS OUR COUNSELLOR. He says, “I will counsel you, my eye shall be upon you” [Psalm 32:8].

Lord, be my counsellor,
My Pattern and my Guide;
And through this desert land,
Still keep me near Thy side;
Oh, let me feet ne’er run astray,
Nor rove, nor seek the crooked way.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘1838. Twelve months have rolled away since I wrote a line in my diary, but not a day has passed without my God writing. O take me and use me as thy servant, to thy glory! See Lord, with all my heart and soul, I give myself to thee: help me in future, evermore to view myself as thy covenant servant, to be, to do and to suffer thy will. My cause is thy cause, and thy cause mine. Help me to leave mine entirely with thee, and to cleave to thine while I live.’