S) "3 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.'
4 Moreover, Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, 'Please inquire first for the word of the Lord.'"
2 Chronicles 18:3-4 (NASB)
O) Jehoshaphat was, by most accounts, a good king. He feared God, and did a lot to reform Judah so they would follow the LORD. If you were to rank the kings of Israel and Judah, he'd be up there. On the flip-side, Ahab was one of the worst kings ever. His evil rivaled Jeroboam himself. Here, Jehoshaphat is visiting Israel, because he'd made a treaty, and Ahab uses the visit to entreat him in war. A lot can be said for why Jehoshaphat was allying himself with the evil king, but I really want to point out the good, here. While Jehoshaphat failed to ask the LORD if his alliance was a good one, he at least recovers a step, and wants to seek God before heading off to war (although, he did prematurely commit himself). Unfortunately, even after Micaiah prophesied defeat, Jehoshaphat still goes with Ahab.
A) So, to focus on the positive for a bit, I need to emphasize that it's never too late to pray about it (whatever "it" I'm facing). Obviously, I pay attention to Jehoshaphat's first mistake, and pray before I align myself with others in such a committed way. Also, prayer does no good if I am not obedient to the words of God. However, I need to remember, especially when I do sense that I may have gotten myself into trouble, that it's never too late to pray about it. Like a GPS, God will say, "redirecting route" and give me correction. Maybe my mistake will still cost me something, but God's ways are still better than my ways. His remedies, fixes, damage-control, etc. - all better than anything I will come up with myself.
P) Father, You are exceedingly good, and Your grace covers all of my errors. Remind me, especially when I realize I've acted foolishly, to seek You once again. When I find Your word, instruction, or warning, let me heed it with all obedience. I humble myself and acknowledge that Your ways are incomparably better than my ways. Thank You for making the most of my mistakes when I do turn to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) So, to focus on the positive for a bit, I need to emphasize that it's never too late to pray about it (whatever "it" I'm facing). Obviously, I pay attention to Jehoshaphat's first mistake, and pray before I align myself with others in such a committed way. Also, prayer does no good if I am not obedient to the words of God. However, I need to remember, especially when I do sense that I may have gotten myself into trouble, that it's never too late to pray about it. Like a GPS, God will say, "redirecting route" and give me correction. Maybe my mistake will still cost me something, but God's ways are still better than my ways. His remedies, fixes, damage-control, etc. - all better than anything I will come up with myself.
P) Father, You are exceedingly good, and Your grace covers all of my errors. Remind me, especially when I realize I've acted foolishly, to seek You once again. When I find Your word, instruction, or warning, let me heed it with all obedience. I humble myself and acknowledge that Your ways are incomparably better than my ways. Thank You for making the most of my mistakes when I do turn to You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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