2 Samuel 15:31
‘Now someone informed David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “LORD, please make the advice of Ahithophel foolish.”’
God will answer this prayer. This is what He does when those conspire against Him people. I Corinthians 1:20, "Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" This happens to those who don't fear God. Romans 1:21 says, "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened."
The interesting thing about this process of one losing one's wisdom is that they don't know it. It's as if one is traveling and is off a number of degrees. Unless there is a compass, it's unknowable. They could continue on in confidence, yet be wrong.
We are speaking of the wise ones of the world. They get into the best schools and usually earn the most money. They still sound intelligent. Yet, they've lost their wisdom. They are still smart, but not wise.
This is an interesting process. The most simple, if in Christ, see this. David says in Psalm 119:99, "I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation." This would baffle the wise. "But these uneducated ones can't have the truth over me." I Corinthians 1:27 says, "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty." God will an unimpressive one and give His wisdom there, if they are following Him. It could be one with bad teeth and a simple accent, yet he is wise. The so called wise ones wouldn't join that one, even if they knew he was right.
That may be the reason many didn't follow Jesus. Here is a prophecy about the messiah from Isaiah 53:2 "He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no stately form or majesty to attract us, no beauty that we should desire Him." Jesus' form and background weren't impressive. That was intentional on God's part. He had Him born in a manger and raised is a questionable region. That was also intentional. As one of the apostles said, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
These are all traits of the kingdom of God. Humility is high up on God's list. "The meek shall inherit the earth", (Matthew 5:5). Humility could be a litmus test for how serious one takes God. They may still be a christian, but not walking strongly in Christ. If they aren't humble, they are partially in disobedience. God's Spirit within us makes us more like Him. If we aren't becoming more humble, we are hardening our hearts toward Him.
Todays' verse is about Ahithophel. Here is what David says about him in Psalm 55:12-14, "For it is not an enemy who taunts me, Then I could endure it; Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, Then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, My companion and my confidant; We who had sweet fellowship together". He was a beloved friend and counselor to David. He got diverted somewhere along the way. Now he was conspiring with the enemy.
We can also get diverted. The bible is to be our guide and the Holy Spirit brings it to life in us. If we disobey either, then we are getting side tracked. I Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" David prays this in Psalm 139:24, "See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting." We should always be open to the Holy Spirit's nudging.
Lord, thank You for Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for Your guidance. Help us to walk ever close to You.