Introduction

Good morning. Let us turn to 2 Samuel, chapter 17. What do you observe in this chapter? Sadly, Absalom heeded Hushai’s counsel. Ahithophel's advice was superior, but Hushai, being a better storyteller, swayed Absalom. Had we read the chronicles of Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, instead of Absalom and David, we would lament Xiang Yu's failure to eliminate Liu Bang at the Hongmen Banquet. Indeed, some matters appear predetermined, as if by Mingding Destiny.

The theme of this chapter is God frustrates Ahithophel's good counsel, to bring evil upon Absalom. If human history is guided by an unseen hand, does not such a hand also govern individual lives? Countless anecdotes illustrate this. For example, a man may amass wealth through investment, believing he has found a pattern to predict the future. Yet, in a sudden reversal, he loses everything. It appears that many things in this world are controlled by an unseen power.

A nation's fortune is its destiny; an individual's, their fate. Many things are beyond our comprehension. Absalom effortlessly seizing David's throne and becoming king – was this divinely sanctioned? If not, God can easily undermine you. In this chapter, we see Absalom, an intelligent man, usurping David's throne, causing David to flee. This juncture determined the destinies of both David and Absalom.

Absalom, in his youthful arrogance, brimmed with confidence, believing himself invincible, having not only driven out his father but also won the allegiance of Israel. A photograph taken then would capture Absalom's self-assured, triumphant expression. At this crucial moment, God played a decisive role, orchestrating events from behind the scenes. Had Absalom followed Ahithophel's counsel, sending twelve thousand men to pursue David, Ahithophel might have captured or even defeated David.

However, the world is often a contest of who is the least bad. The Israelites entering Canaan was not due to their virtue, but because the Canaanites were more depraved. Thus, God took Canaan's land and gave it to Israel. Absalom being worse than David, God chose David. In the previous chapter, Shimei cursed David; David's reaction showed he understood it was a test from God. Recognizing this, David realized he must not fall into the trap of discerning good and evil, and he passed the test.

Had David failed, Absalom would have secured his throne. Therefore, we must know that God is in control, regardless of era. Understanding this principle, I have devised theories, such as the dog dung theory. Why? So that God, seeing my self-perception as dog dung, may have mercy on me. This dog dung theory is quite effective. Mastering such insight is truly remarkable.

Is this not a matter of who is the least bad? Absalom, in his arrogance, considered himself superior to David, the handsomest man, capable of ruling Israel. Such thinking is flawed. We must know who pleases God and who provokes His wrath. Therefore, I am indifferent to who likes or dislikes me, or who insults me. I eat, drink, and sleep as usual, knowing that God is in control.

If God allows someone to wrong me, so be it. If God calls me to more work, I will do it, for work is a blessing. Another theory to understand is the health theory: only those who work live. I found a Traditional Chinese Medicine book written by an engineer, who cited the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. I had read it before, but not as well as he. His book states, Labor nourishes Yang, rest nourishes Yin.

How can one be healthy without sufficient Qi? Correct? Labor nourishes Yang; labor brings Yang energy. I did not understand this before, but now it is clear, and the title is prominent, indicating its importance. Labor nourishes Yang, rest nourishes Yin. Constant rest leads to Yin excess and Yang deficiency, which is detrimental. A brother working in a government department with little to do saw a colleague diagnosed with cancer, frightening everyone. Although the department offered high pay for little work, the lack of activity and excess energy proved harmful.

Returning to the chapter's theme, God frustrates Ahithophel's good counsel to bring evil upon Absalom. This is a matter of who is the least bad. The Canaanites being worse than the Israelites, God had mercy on Israel, taking Canaan's land for them. In our era, God sees the Chinese as less bad than others. Will the Chinese church or the Western church prosper? Certainly, the Chinese church, favored by God in this era because of this principle of being the least bad. After discussing the dog dung theory and the work theory, let us now address the chapter's theme: God frustrates Ahithophel's good counsel, to bring evil upon Absalom.

God Eradicates Human Counsel Easily

We must realize that God controls history. Ultimately, God deemed Liu Bang superior to Xiang Yu, and Liu Bang prevailed, leading Xiang Yu to commit suicide at Wujiang. Did Xiang Yu have advisors? Yes, and their advice was sound, but God can easily thwart human schemes. You will observe an unseen hand in human history undermining good counsel. We must acknowledge that this is miraculous.

Chairman Mao's establishment of New China, to some extent, was more in line with God's will. Some may argue, but God chose him to establish New China. Eliminating the old ways -- how wonderful and clean! Chiang Kai-shek had strategies, but they were futile, unable to stop God, for God can easily frustrate human plans. Consider Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, and even Zhuge Liang: no matter how brilliant, he could not alter fate. Zhuge Liang later conceded, It is fate. So, trust in God, not in human schemes.

Mastering Zhuge Liang's strategies is difficult, but trusting God is simple, because God thwarts human counsel. Was Ahithophel's advice sound? Yes. Was Hushai's advice sound? No. Yet Absalom chose Hushai's. What sense does that make? Had Absalom not consulted Hushai, he would have followed Ahithophel's advice and defeated David. Absalom thought, Let's hear what Hushai thinks of Ahithophel’s plan. What is Hushai all about? You see people, but you do not see God's hand, for God works through people. The following is very important:

God Will Have Mercy on Whom He Will Have Mercy

David was on the verge of destruction, but God chose to have mercy on him. Therefore, learn this phrase. Why did I devise the dog dung theory? It is in the hope that God will always have mercy on me. I do not regard myself or my title of pastor as important. I do not overvalue anything, knowing that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy.

I believe Paul wrote in Romans that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. This is indeed true. Do you desire God's mercy? You may not, but I do. I continue to rely on God's mercy. One must look to God's grace and mercy. There is a song, I cry out for Your grace, I cry out for Your mercy. God had mercy on David and thwarted Absalom's good plan because of what David did in the previous chapter. David said, Perhaps God will see my reaction to this calamity, seeing me as dog dung, and perhaps God will have mercy on me and grant me favor. In fact, I learned this theory from David.

God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy, so never be stiff-necked, never think you are capable, never think you are great, never think you are superior. No matter how impressive you are, you are not more impressive than God! Therefore, let us look to God's grace! Being reproved is to thwart arrogance. Why be arrogant? Do not be arrogant. Moreover, sometimes being reproved is for your benefit. One must know to look to God's mercy, as David did. That is true wisdom!

Sound Counsel Cannot Thwart God's Plans

Just consider the wisdom of Ahithophel's counsel! David was in a rush, possessing nothing. Why? Because he neglected his duties, and Absalom usurped his power, guided by Ahithophel's advice. How many counselors do you think surrounded Absalom? Many! Many bet on Absalom, believing he would be king. Seeing the wind shift, they chose Absalom. The Israelites and their elders all sided with Absalom, who then thought himself invincible. How did he reveal this arrogance? He questioned Hushai.

Hushai said moreover, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. Behold, he is hid now in some pit, or in some other place: and it will come to pass, when some of them be overthrown at the first, that whosoever heareth it will say, There is a slaughter among the people that follow Absalom. And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men. Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person. So shall we come upon him in some place where he shall be found, and we will light upon him as the dew falleth on the ground: and of him and of all the men that are with him there shall not be left so much as one. Moreover, if he be gotten into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the river, until there be not one small stone found there. (2 Samuel 17:8-13)

What does this passage mean? It signifies that the Israelites had already submitted to Absalom. Absalom found this very pleasing because the Israelites, from Dan to Beersheba, had submitted to him. What was there to worry about? They wouldn't even need to worry about which city David might flee to, because the Israelites would just pull that city into the river with ropes, leaving not even a small stone. Absalom particularly enjoyed hearing this. If you enjoy hearing such things, you are an Absalom. Never be an Absalom, for it will lead to your ruin!

Why this sense of infallibility? Sound counsel cannot prevent God from bringing calamity upon Absalom. God detests such arrogance! We have so many bad habits! When pastoring, I found it quite difficult to change people. Better to change oneself! From a human perspective, one relies on counsel, but from God's perspective, He looks not at the counsel but at His own mercy! How good was Ahithophel's counsel to Absalom? Yet Absalom did not heed it. Whether one listens or not is still decided by God. The Israelites, Absalom, and the elders, upon hearing Hushai's idea, said, It is better than Ahithophel's counsel!

What was Hushai doing? He first helped David establish a firm footing, then sought another way out. Ahithophel rushed forward, potentially leading to a capture. In the end, Ahithophel's counsel was of no use. Why? Because the decision-makers made their own decisions. Reflect on this: how many of us have been scammed by P2P lending? It was your own decision; the money in your bank account was transferred by you to the scammers. Right? Not because you felt deceived, but because you thought you were getting a good deal and an opportunity! So, no matter how much someone advises you not to fall for it, it is useless, because you perceive it as a great opportunity.

A little girl developed a mental illness and happened to be ministered to by me. After her illness, her parents wanted to go to Guangxi. In fact, there are many scammers in Guangxi. They went and were conned out of 600,000 RMB, losing everything! Even with their child mentally ill, they still wanted to seize this opportunity! If you tell them not to fall for it, that it is a scam, they won't believe you. Hushai fabricated a story, a pleasant one, and Absalom believed it; he liked hearing pleasant things! If you are someone who likes hearing pleasant things, then I would say: you are an Absalom.

We must understand that it is too easy for God to ruin a person; sound counsel cannot prevent it! Therefore, I tell you, seek only to please God in all things! That is it! You say: I do not want to please God! Then good luck to you! Some among us run businesses, start ventures, doing this and that, bustling about. Are they pleasing God? If not, if our hearts and minds are filled with things that provoke God's anger, even if someone gives you a very good idea; even if you are standing at the forefront of opportunity, though you may fly high, what happens after the wind dies down? Won't you become a hamburger patty? It is easy to fly up, but how do you come down? Like an airplane that can take off but cannot land, that would be trouble!

So, brothers and sisters, do not fill your minds with garbage! You ask me, I see these people bustling about, busy as can be, not wanting to understand the meaning of life, just wanting to make money! Did they make money? No, they did not. There are many such things in this world! Spending tens of thousands, nearly a million, to get a degree in Australia, what is the use? In the end, it is useless! I lament, how can people be so foolish? It is so obvious that God controls people's destinies; how wonderful it is to trust in God!

Can everyone hear this? When I speak, you feel I am repeating myself, but I am never bored, I always feel I am not doing enough. Some, however, feel it is meaningless, the same. So Absalom had counselors, but it was of no use! The final decision rests with you. If God wants to ruin your affairs, then they will be ruined; if God wants to have mercy on you, He will have mercy on you!

But you must have what it takes to receive God's mercy! If you are always doing something, you ask me, the decision you are making, I see it as that of an Absalom. Ponder it slowly! Who knows when you will wake up? Who knows when you will realize the importance of trusting in God! So why was David better than Absalom? One was arrogant and high-spirited, the other said: I am just a piece of garbage! And the result? The latter received God's grace and mercy! He was after God's own heart.

Even Informants Cannot Thwart God's Plans

What is this all about? Someone informs. You see something, and then a young boy goes to inform, why? To inform in the hope of getting some official position from Absalom. I must tell you, do not play this game of informing! Because informing is quite vexing! Like Judas informing: Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane! Quickly bring the soldiers! The soldiers say: I do not know who Jesus is! It does not matter, Judas knows. Judas finishes informing, brings the soldiers, kisses Jesus, and then Jesus is arrested. In the end, it’s tragic!

Ahithophel, because his counsel was not heeded, hanged himself! I think, how can one take this life so seriously? It is okay not to do that work! Offering advice that people do not listen to, then hanging oneself, what kind of thinking is that? I do not know. In the end, perhaps God sent a spirit of hanging: to go to Ahithophel and make him hang himself. Is that the case? Still giving advice? I will let you give advice, I will let you give more advice, go back and hang yourself.

Some people are like that too, giving advice that people do not listen to, going home and getting angry. I find many things very amusing! This informing, the result: David is hiding here! Actually he was in the cistern, with the lid covered, easily checked. What is this? Uncover the lid, and see David inside: just what you were looking for! Catch him red-handed! Pull the person out of the well, that is all there is to it. But they did not do things properly, doing things that allowed them to be informed on! I think informing is easily caught, but one is easily fooled. Why? Because it is all God’s protection!

So finally I tell you, it is David's garbage theory! I call David's thing the garbage theory: scold me if you want, I am nothing! As a result, he received God's grace! Did he not say: perhaps God will be gracious to me! That is called wisdom! If a person can have this wisdom, you are powerful! Do not oppose God; do not be friends with ghosts! After you are done, big trouble!

As a result, David had experience in fleeing, he did it for 13 years, fleeing for 13 years, that fellow hiding here and there, accumulating rich experience, this time he used it again! Before, he relied on his silver tongue to survive in the underworld, surviving here and there, surviving to the Philistine king Achish, you say this time he fought Ammon, next time he fought Moab, and again he fought the Philistines, where can he flee? Where can you flee to? The interesting thing is here. God wants to have mercy, letting an Ammonite be kind to him, there is no arguing with that? An Ammonite, and Barzillai the Gileadite, we do not know what kind of people they are. David should have been deserted by all, but he was fine, all because of this. So, we must know, if God wants people to help you, that person will definitely help you.

People Will Also Help Those Whom God Has Mercy On

You don’t know where people will suddenly appear to help you, this one appears, that one appears, David resolved his immediate crisis. How difficult was it for him then! Bringing his men. Did everyone understand? I said it over and over again, still must trust in God! People who do not trust in God are foolish! People who trust in counselors are foolish! It is not effective. Trusting in informers is also useless! If God has mercy on you, that is better than anything! Have you learned this lesson now? Ponder it slowly! Do not just be arrogant, what capital is there to be arrogant?

Do not be an Absalom; be a David who deeply understands God’s heart! He deeply understands what kind of person can gain favor with God; what kind of person can attract anger from God. So in my view, there’s only two types of people: one is those who do what is right in the eyes of the Lord; and the other, called those who do what is evil in the eyes of the Lord! There is also those, who please God and those who provoke God's anger! If you choose the right one, I congratulate you!

Everyone, prepare yourselves to be someone who pleases God and receives God's mercy! Whoever wants to provoke your emotions, control yourself, either learn from me: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; or: Lao Tzu, Lao Tzu, Lao Tzu; you talk about Wang Yangming too! Although Wang Yangming appears to be affiliated with Buddhism, his level of practice is deeper than many Christians! Christians, on the one hand they feel they are so great! What is achieved is in fact nothing.

May God bless everyone!