2 Samuel 17:14 (NIV) Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

We live in a day and age where no one trusts what they are being told in the news media and all other media that spreads information. People say that there is a lot of misinformation, disinformation and fake news. People are beginning to be awakened to the fact that facts matter and they most certainly do...until they come face to face with God, that is.

There are so many examples of this in scripture and one of them is in the story of when King David’s son Absalom rose up against him and temporarily took over his kingdom while plotting to kill him. In the process of Absalom conspiring to depose his father and take over as king of Israel, one of David’s close counselors, Ahithophel, left David to side with Absalom. Some people are just opportunists and look to be with whoever seems to be more successful. Ahithophel was considered to be a very wise counselor. The Word of God tells us that both David and Absalom considered the counsel he gave as if were straight from God Himself. It seemed like a very unfortunate loss for David. But David turned to the Lord and prayed for Him to make the counsel of Ahithophel seem foolish. He also told his servant and confidant, Hushai, to stay back, go and offer his services to Absalom and attempt to frustrate Ahithophel’s advice. Soon after, Ahithophel gave Absalom counsel about what he should do next to get rid of David and to bring back the people who had fled with him. It was good, military advice. But strangely, Absalom asked Hushai what he thought of Ahithophel’s counsel and Hushai told him that in this particular case, the counsel was not good. Amazingly, Absalom thought Hushai’s counsel was better. Fact: Ahithophel’s reputation for wise counsel was impeccable. Fact: Absalom considered Ahithophel’s counsel to be “as one who inquired of the Lord.” Fact: Hushai wasn’t even a counselor! Those were the facts. But the facts didn’t matter in this case. Why? Because they came face to face with God.

When God is on the scene and when He wants something to happen, it will happen no matter what the facts are. When you call on Him in times of trouble, He will succeed in helping you no matter how impossible the situation is. So what are the facts about what you are facing? Are the negative facts of your situation piled up high? Just bring them face to face with God and they will no longer matter. Rest in the refuge, protection and peace that the Lord provides for those that are in His care.

Pastor Joey Vazquez