"If honest heart and uprightness before God were lacking, or if I did not patiently wait on God for instruction, or if I prefer the counsel of my fellow-men to the declarations of the Word of God, I make great mistakes."— George Muller
George Muller was an English Evangelist in the 1800's who cared for over ten thousand orphans. Mueller also opened 117 schools which offered Christian education to more than 120,000 students. He was one of the founders of the Plymouth Brethren denomination. George Muller is known in Christian circles for his extraordinary faith in God for the provision of his own needs and those of the children in his care. He is said not to have solicited individuals, or used debt to build five large orphanages that cost over 100k each, choosing instead to trust God to meet every need. One hundred thousand dollars would be $3.5 million in purchasing power today. (Wikipedia) Over the course of his ministry, George Muller raised over one hundred million dollars to spread the Gospel, support missions, and educate children...all by seeking COUNSEL from God. He once said, "I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down, and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming." That's counsel.
A COUNSELOR is a person trained to give guidance on personal, social, or psychological problems; one who gives advice on a specified subject. The word consult means to seek information or advice from someone with expertise in a particular area; or to have discussions or confer with (someone), typically before undertaking a course of action. There is a lot of talk these days about our need to preserve our mental health by going to therapists, pastors, and counselors. This is sound advice, "Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory." (Proverbs 11:14, AMP) It is required even for the military operations of a nation, "Plans are established by counsel; So make war [only] with wise guidance." (Prov. 20:18, AMP) Do you seek counsel before making crucial decisions that might affect many? Do you ask more than one person? "Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they are established and succeed." (Prov. 15:22, AMP)
George Muller said though human advice is available, when not seeking the counsel of God's Word, he was prone to error. The treasure found in Scripture and the proceeding prophetic impressions of the Holy Spirit joined together with Mueller's faith, surrender, and obedience to make his ministry so impactful. His utter trust in the inspired guidance of the LORD is still a marvel to us. He had an example. Isaiah prophesied about our LORD Jesus Christ:
1A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—3and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. (Isaiah 11:1-5, NIV)
Isaiah also proclaimed, "For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6) As you and I seek guidance for our next steps...let's not neglect sitting on the couch of the greatest Counselor ever known. | 
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