Today’s devotion comes from 2 Chronicles 18:1-7.
“Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor; and he allied himself by marriage with Ahab. Some years later he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria. And Ahab slaughtered many sheep and oxen for him and the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me against Ramoth-gilead?” And he said to him, “I am as you are, and my people as your people, and we will be with you in the battle.”
Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” Then the king of Israel assembled the prophets, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 2 Chronicles 18:1-7.
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A prudent man considers warning signs along the way. So to speak, some warning signs are flashing red lights, but other warning signs are much more subtle and take much more wisdom to discern.
And then, there are rewards to consider as well as as risks. For a particular path, it might be worth it to assume the risks when we consider the rewards.
In today’s devotion, we will look at warning signs that Jehoshaphat, king of Israel, faced and how we can use them to be more careful in the risks that we face. We will also meditate on some Scriptures on wisdom and protection.
In verse 1, we see that Jehoshaphat allied himself by marriage with Ahab. We know that Ahab was a bad man, but Jehoshaphat did not marry Ahab. We can presume Jehoshaphat married some relative of Ahab. It is rarely, if ever, worthwhile to marry a bad spouse. But, it may be worthwhile to marry a good spouse even though there is a bad member in the spouse’s family.
In verses 2-3, we see that Jehoshaphat went to visit Ahab, and Ahab threw him a party and Ahab asked a favor from Jehoshaphat. Bad men are rarely generous. Was Jehoshaphat prepared for the possibility, even likelihood that Ahab would ask a big favor from him? We read that Ahab asked to go to war with him against Ramoth-gilead.
In verses 4-5, Jehoshaphat was at least wise enough to ask the king of Israel, “Please inquire first for the word of the LORD.” But, Ahab only assembled his own prophets, false prophets, to ask them. And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”
In verses 6-7, Jehoshaphat was at least wise enough to ask: “Is there not yet a prophet of the LORD here that we may inquire of him?” And, when Ahab resisted, Jehoshaphat was at least wise enough to press the issue and insist that Ahab bring them Micaiah, son of Imla, who we was a true prophet.
Unfortunately, this was not the end of the story. The end of the story did not have a pure happy ending. It is too complex to summarize herein. But, for the purposes of this devotion, we can glean the importance of prudence, perseverance, and preservation. We can not be content with making one prudent decision. We also need to persevere in wisdom, and we also need God’s preservation of us.
So, here are some Scriptures.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.” Psalm 111:10.
“3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,
But the naive go on, and are punished for it.
4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches, honor and life.” Proverbs 22:3-4.
“The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15.
“House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers,
But a prudent wife is from the LORD.” Proverbs 19:14.
“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:1-9.
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, …” 1 Corinthians 1:30.
“… But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16.
“… Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17.
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 4:16.
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12.
“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58.
“3 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
4 “Trust in the LORD forever,
For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4.
“23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24.
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7.
“Hate evil, you who love the LORD,
Who preserves the souls of His godly ones;
He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 97:10.
“23 O love the LORD, all you His godly ones!
The LORD preserves the faithful
And fully recompenses the proud doer.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:23-24.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4.
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 