2 Chronicles Chapter 19: Verses 1-3 (NIV)
When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is on you. There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God.”
2 Chronicles Chapter 20: Verse 32 (NIV)
He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
2 Chronicles Chapter 20: Verses 35-37 (NIV)
Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.
Jehoshaphat was a good king for the majority of his reign. He tried to follow God and encouraged his people to do the same. But he does seem to have a significant weakness; He entered into alliances with wicked kings who were not interested in doing God’s will. He sought God’s mind in certain things but obviously not on others.
God doesn’t want us to isolate ourselves from people who don’t share our faith and beliefs, but we do need to take care how we associate ourselves with them. We should not compromise our faith to fit in with other people, and we shouldn’t go along with their plans just because it seems like a good thing to do. We need to find out from God if it is the right thing to do. There is an important difference.
Dear Lord,
I know that like Jehoshaphat I try to follow Your ways, but, like him, I don’t always do the right thing. Help me to always seek Your will before entering into any plans or agreements, even if Im doing so with the best of intentions. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.