OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SATURDAY, 1ST NOVEMBER, 2025
TOPIC: GODLY COUNSEL
MEMORISE
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Proverbs 19:20
BIBLE TEXT
Exodus 18:13-26
[13]And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
[14]And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even
[15]And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God
[16]When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
[17]And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
[18]Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
[19]Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
[20]And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
[21]Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
[22]And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
[23]If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
[24]So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
[25]And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
[26]And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
MESSAGE
In 2 Kings 5:1-14, Naaman, a commander in the Syrian army, came to Elisha because he needed healing from leprosy. The prophet instructed him to do something he felt was way below his status, he was to dip himself seven times in River Jordan, a river he considered to be way below other prestigious rivers in his home country. Angrily, Naaman rejected Elisha's instruction and was already on his way back to Syria when one of his servants counselled him to obey the prophet's instructions. Thank God he heeded his servant's counsel and did as Elisha had instructed. He was cured of his leprosy immediately, and his skin became like that of a newborn. If he had rejected his servant's simple advice, he would have had to live the rest of his life as a leper. The greatest miracle of your life might be tied to hearing and obeying godly counsel. It is important to never ignore godly counsel, no matter the age or status of the person or people giving the counsel. "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14
In today's Bible reading, Jethro travelled to the wilderness to visit Moses, his son-in-law. During his visit, he observed how Moses attended to every single issue that arose in the camp of the Israelites all by himself, from morning to night, such that at the end of every day, he was always exhausted. After making this observation, Jethro counselled Moses on what to do. He told him to choose rulers of different ranks from among the people who could also judge matters that arose within the camp. Although Jethro didn't have the burning bush experience that Moses had, Moses listened to him and received God's counsel through him. "But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6
Humility or meekness is an ingredient for receiving God's grace. You need a meek heart to properly discern when God is speaking through someone and receive what He has to say to you through them. Moses was known as the meekest man on earth (Numbers 12:3), and his meekness was what made him able to receive counsel from people who seemed not to have attained his spiritual height and influence. No matter high you get, God wants you to remain meek. Ask God for a meek heart to receive His counsel through whatever vessel or method He chooses to use.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please give me a meek heart so that I can receive Your counsel through whatever vessel or method You choose to use to speak in Jesus' name
AUTHOR: PASTOR E A ADEBOYE
BIBLE IN A YEAR
John 1-2
HYMN 8 I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR
1 I need Thee ev'ry hour
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Chorus:
I need Thee, Oh need Thee
Ev'ry hour I need Thee
O bless me now, my Savior
I come to Thee!
2 I need Thee every hour
Stay Thou nearby
Temptations lose their power
When Thou art nigh.
3 I need Thee every hour
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide
Or life is vain.
4 I need Thee every hour
Teach me Thy will
And thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
5 I need Thee every hour
Most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!
