Listening to Bad Advice

Have you ever gotten any bad advice?

I remember earlier this year, an awful noise began to develop in the engine compartment of our family van. The rattling sound began softly, and over the span of a few short days developed into what resembled an automatic .80 caliber cannon! The sound was so embarrassing, at stoplights, people would gaze in horror for their own lives in the direction of our van. My wife, who is the primary driver of the van, became insistent on it getting fixed. So, one Saturday morning, I set off to have it looked at. The first place I went told me it was definitely the flywheel. It would take a week to fix and cost me hundreds of dollars. Wanting a second estimate, I took it to the next shop down the road. They, too, looked at it and came to a different mechanical conclusion, which was going to be even more expensive. Defeated, I went to a third and final shop. The mechanic spent five minutes under car and emerged to the waiting room with my keys in hand. “It’s finished,” he proclaimed with pride. Astounded, I asked him how much it would cost and what was wrong with it? Apparently, a thin piece of metal designed to act as a heat shield had sheared a bolt and was banging, boisterously between the engine and the transmission. The cost was $25. Gladly, I handed him the money. As I did, he told me he wasn’t surprised that others had tried to charge me an arm and a leg and, in the end, give me horrible advice.

Have you ever listened to the wrong voice in a desperate moment when you needed to hear from someone who could help? What’s worse, have you been on the wrong side of advice-giving that, in the end, fueled your own lust for power and control rather than the interest of the receiver? Rehoboam found himself in a similar predicament. His Father Solomon had died and left him to be king. When the people came to submit themselves to his leadership, they asked that he be merciful to them. At that point, Rehoboam sought council with the wise men; they affirmed him to listen and become a servant to Israel. However, Rehoboam also consulted his cronies; their answer was to reject the people’s wants and to rule with an iron fist! Needless to say, the people rebelled against the would-be-king and the anger of the Lord burned against him. Rehoboam’s career went “south,” and the Egyptians were on his doorstep, ready to conquer. Yet the word of the Lord came to Rehoboam once again through a prophet. Finally, ready to hear good advice, Rehoboam humbled himself before God, and his kingdom was spared.

Ours, too, seems to be a listening problem. There rarely seems to be a shortage of advice and direction when we are faced with a fork in the road. Yet, our problems come when we tune out the advice that would bring the right outcome over that affirming news that plays to our own wants and selfish desires for power. In a crowd, it’s easy to hear someone talking, but it’s virtually impossible to listen to what they’re saying – unless you fix your gaze directly on them. May we also fix our gaze on God.

Our worship will continue to focus on the true nature of power as seen in a vertical relationship with the all-powerful Godhead. Our worship will also lead the worshipper to place himself in a posture that is open and willing to receive God’s direction. Finally, we will also present ourselves in humility before a God who never gives bad advice.

Resounding Themes:
Vertical Power
Humilty
Hearing God
Repentance and Contriteness