2 Chronicles Chapter 18: Verses 4-7 (NLT)
Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”
So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, 400 of them, and asked them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?”
They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! God will give the king victory.”
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.”
The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.”
Ahab had no intention of seeking God’s will regarding this battle, but I think Jehoshaphat shamed him in to it, so he went through the motions and summoned those “prophets” who he expected would tell him only what he wanted to hear. However, Jehoshaphat recognised that these were not true prophets and asked if there was someone else who would tell them the mind of God on the matter.
Ahab made his feelings plain; he didn’t like Micaiah because he didn’t simply tell Ahab what he wanted to hear. Jehoshaphat rebuked Ahab for his attitude and behaviour.
When someone is brutally honest with us and tells us the truth on a matter, but it isn’t perhaps what we want to hear – how do we react? Do we go off in a huff like Ahab? Or like Jehoshaphat, are we willing to accept the will of God, when someone shares it with us?
Whether he liked it or not, and he even tried to outwit it, Ahab learned to his cost that God’s will is done regardless of whether we like it or not.
Dear Lord,
Help me to recognise the truth and Your will, even if its difficult for me to accept. Give me the courage to acknowledge that You know what’s best for me, even if I don’t fully understand how things will work out. I can trust that You know what You’re doing. Amen.