Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 18
Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire? (2 Chronicles 18.6)
Devotional Thought: He was a good kid, did fairly well in school, and stayed out of trouble - most of the time. But, he started to hang out with the wrong group of boys. Behavior and studies declined together. A caring teacher took him aside and said, "You're too good a kid for this kind of behavior. You need to make some new friends."
Jehoshaphat was a "good kid" who found himself hanging out with the wrong group of "boys." King Ahab of Israel was a truly wicked king and a bad influence on Jehoshaphat. In a meeting to discuss military alliance and strategy, Ahab gathered a group of false prophets together to lend support to his self-interested plans. There was a niggling in his soul, as the Spirit made Jehoshaphat uncomfortable with the situation. Jehoshaphat asked for a "prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire." There was indeed, and that prophet was summoned. Sadly both Ahab and Jehoshaphat chose to ignore what he said. That choice cost Ahab his life. Were it not for the grace of God when Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord, Jehoshaphat would have perished as well.
With whom have you surrounded yourself? Are you "hanging out" with people of good influence or evil? Do you seek the opinion of godly people? And, when God speaks, do you follow "the still small voice of the Lord"? If you find yourself lacking in this, take heart! Like Jehoshaphat we can call upon the Lord and he will answer us; he will guide us.
By the way, that kid was me, and I heeded the teacher's advice. By God's grace, I called upon the Lord and he saved me!
Prayer: Father, I want to have friends who do not know you, for I want to introduce them to your incredible love. But help me to influence them for good - not to follow them on the path of sin. Lead me, O Lord, in your mercy. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 67:1-7
1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
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