I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 16:7–8
Many of us will be familiar with the 16th Psalm. Both Peter and Paul used it in their defense of the gospel. By it they argued that Christ had to die and rise again, for God had promised that His Holy One would not be “abandoned in the pit, nor see decay or corruption” (Acts 2:25–32, 13:34–37).
Scripture has affirmed that this psalm speaks of the events surrounding the Messiah’s life. We, therefore, have confidence to prophetically peer beyond the writer David’s personal meditations toward Christ while He lived on earth. Verses 7–8 give us a glimpse of the way Jesus received wisdom to tackle the challenges He faced before completing His work on the cross. It seems fitting to begin here before we examine direct examples of how Jesus addressed those who contended with His message and His identity as both Christ and the Son of God.
Jesus treasured God the Father’s counsel and received it willingly. Jesus did not, however, seek His Father’s understanding merely to grant him insight and assistance with His decision making. Instead, Jesus’ every word and action was dependent on the direct outpouring of God’s counsel and wisdom at work through Him. Jesus did nothing apart from what He saw the Father doing, nor did He utter a word unless His Father had prepared in advance what He was to speak (John 5:19-20, 5:30, 6:38, 8:28, 12:49 and 14:10). So whenever Jesus was questioned or confronted, He had already been taught beforehand how He should respond. This even included answering people’s thoughts when they weren’t spoken. (Mark 2:6-8).
But how did Jesus possess such knowledge? Jesus received counsel by the same means that God has intended for all who belong to Him and are indwelt with His Spirit. Both David’s and Jesus’ lives were marked with continuous trial and opposition. Because of this, they prioritized coming before the Lord in prayer continuously, so that, in dark times, their hearts were instructed to view their troubles in light of God’s understanding and direction for success (Isaiah 50:4-7). Jesus, having the fullness of deity dwelling within Him, exemplified this perfectly (Colossians 2:8-10). He regularly isolated Himself for long periods of prayer so that He would be equipped for all that He was to face (Matthew 14:23, Luke 6:12, Luke 18:1). In His greatest hour of need, He watched and prayed so that He would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:36-41). Jesus sought strength not within Himself through the exercising of His own will, but from the care and flawless plan provided by His Father.
Jesus was unable to stumble because He put God the Father before Himself in all matters. Jesus glorified God in His time on earth and accomplished all the work He was given to do (John 17:4). In the same way, let us strive to learn from Him and follow His example as we seek to be His light in a lost and dying world!
~ Aaron
