Choosing Godly Counsel

Ahab king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me against Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the war." But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD."... But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?" The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we can inquire of the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad.

2 Chronicles 18:3,4,6,7

It's great to be willing to go to war as Jehoshaphat did but a willing and loyal heart needs to be submissive to God's calling. And hearing that calling is so critical because choosing the wrong path can lead to destruction. Ahab refused to listen to God's message because it wasn't favorable to him and he discredited the messenger, Micaiah. Sometimes it doesn't matter who the messenger of God's trust is, it's our willingness to accept whatever God desires.

I think it's natural for people to seek counsel in those who encourage and make us feel better. At the same time that's why people avoid or fall away from the body, they don't want to hear it anymore because it hurts to hear it. In this season, I'm thinking of all the reasons why I want to step away from ministry. I think about the counsel I want to seek out, those who just make me feel better. But that's not what people of God supposed to do . We're supposed to draw closer than ever to God, even when we don't' want to; even when it hurts to. In Pastor Dom's message last night he talked about the highs and lows in ministry. It's easy to serve in the highs but it's what happens in the lows that reveal our character. I need to first draw really close to Jesus by keeping the body close by and be willing to accept harsh and godly counsel.

Heavenly Father, You are the very same God that was there speaking through Micaiah to Ahab; he didn't listen. LORD, please direct my path. Grant me rest in the Spirit. Help me LORD to be refreshed by Your Spirit to cleanse and fill me up with Your love. I know You will speak clearly to me as I surround myself in fellowship, worship & prayer. Consume my Spirit LORD so that I will be able to follow Your lead. Father God, I love You for all You are! In the blessed name of my King and Savior, Amen!