"First....Seek God's Counsel"

1 Kings 22:5 But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel: "First, seek the counsel of the Lord." Should we go to battle?

Jehoshaphat gives wise counsel: First, check with God. How many decisions do we face every day that will affect us and those around us? Futures can even be on the line! Yet so often, we are tempted to go it on our own. In this case, the King of Israel seeks to get a favorable word that will agree with him.

How often do we make up our minds on a decision, and then try to build a case by seeking people who we know will agree with us? In this case, the King of Israel finally agrees to bring in someone that would speak the truth for God. Micaiah disagrees with the King's plan....so the King has him put in jail.

How many times do we write off "truth tellers" in our lives because they seek God's truth first and not our approval. If they disagree, just go somewhere else to get the opinion we want. Ahab, the King of Israel, winds up doing what he wants to do. His failure to seek God's counsel leads to his own death and a terrible day on the battlefield!

As I make decisions today, will I be willing to first "seek the counsel of the Lord"? Will I take time to study God's Word? Will I pray for God's guidance? Who is in my life that I trust them to tell me God's truth because they want to please God more than live for my approval?

Dear Father God, help me to always seek your way and truth. While your direction doesn't always come in nice, gift-wrapped packages, I will continue to ask, seek, and knock so that I might be firmly centered in your path for my life. Amen

. -Jerry Sweat

Jerry Sweat is Lead Pastor at Beach Church in
Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

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