I don’t know about you, but I could use some good counsel most every day. The problem is, where will I get it?

Scrolling through the Old Testament, I found that the kings of Judah who did what was right made it a point to “First seek the counsel of the LORD” (1 Kings 22:5). While Psalm 1:1 warns us not to “walk in the counsel of the wicked,” Proverbs includes “counsel and sound judgment” as traits of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:14). There, we also find another source for counsel, “the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel” (Proverbs 27:9).

Probably the most popular verse regarding a counselor is the one sung at Christmas in Handel’s song from the Messiah, ‘For Unto Us a Child is Born.’ “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). These titles pointed to the Messiah, Jesus.

In the New Testament, Jesus taught about the Counselor that God would send to believers once Jesus left earth and went to heaven. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16). Jesus added, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

I thank God for His Spirit, our Counselor, who is always with us, teaching, guiding, whispering encouragement and comfort, and speaking wisdom into us.

May we take time to listen, having ears and eyes and hearts open and receptive, saying, “Holy Spirit, speak.”