THE HABIT OF SEEKING GOD'S COUNSEL

1 Kings 22:4-5 NIV  So he asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?" Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, "I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses."  (5)  But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "First seek the counsel of the LORD." 

2 Kings 3:11-12 NIV  But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?" An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. "  (12)  Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the LORD is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

Jehoshaphat was one of the few kings of Judah who had a heart that followed the Lord.  And you see that in his “habit” of making sure to seek counsel from the Lord, or to seek a prophet that would give them a word from God concerning their circumstances.  Obviously it was important for Jehoshaphat to know that what he was doing was in accordance with God’s will.

Even Jehoshaphat’s attitude of seeking counsel from the Lord was right.  Look again at the incident in 1 Kings 22:

1 Kings 22:6-8 NIV  So the king of Israel brought together the prophets-- about four hundred men--and asked them, "Shall I go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I refrain?" "Go," they answered, "for the Lord will give it into the king's hand." 

First, we see here that Jehoshaphat had DISCERNMENT.   These so-called “prophets” were not really speaking God’s word to them, only what the king of Israel wanted to hear.  Jehoshaphat sensed it.

(7)  But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not a prophet of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?"  (8)  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. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." "The king should not say that," Jehoshaphat replied.

The king of Israel was the opposite of Jehoshaphat.  He wasn’t someone who sought God’s will at all. And, his attitude towards the counsel of the Lord is evident in his words - 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.

Jehoshaphat quickly rebuked him - "The king should not say that".  Jehoshaphat knew that God's counsel, whether we agree with it or not, is God's counsel.  He had full trust in God, to the point that if God said "No", he would submit.

Jehoshaphat reflects the kind of heart that we should have.  A heart that makes it a habit to seek the counsel of the Lord, that inquires of God in His word.

The Old Testament believers were dependent on prophets to hear God’s Word.  Today we are blessed to have the Bible, God’s revealed Word, and the Holy Spirit who “speaks” this word in our hearts.

To seek God’s counsel is not like setting an appointment with a guidance counsellor, and then ask their advice.  Seeking God’s counsel is a state of heart, it is something that we long for, that we seek after, every moment of the day.  This is why spending time reading and meditating on God’s Word is essential to the life of a Christian.  It is not an option.  It should be a habit, just like Jehoshaphat.

Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV  Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,  (16)  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  (17)  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

And our attitude must be like Jehoshaphat also.  When we seek God’s counsel we don’t only look for that which is good, or beneficial for us.  We seek the counsel of God knowing that it is good for us – whether it goes against what we want or not.

Romans 12:2 NIV  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God’s will is good, pleasing (to God, not necessarily for us), and perfect (because it comes from a perfect God).  Our sinful minds and flesh will disagree with God's will, and tempt us to disobey.  But if we are truly submitted to Him, and honor God above ourselves, we will gladly obey His will.

This is why the work of transformation in our hearts through the renewing of our mind by the Holy Spirit is essential in a Christian's discernment of God's will.  

Again, that’s the reason why daily reading and meditating upon Scripture, as the Holy Spirit ministers to us, is vital for every believer.

A heart dependent on the Holy Spirit, that truly seeks God’s counsel, and is open to God’s rebuke or encouragement in His Word, is a heart that will walk in wisdom and will truly be pleasing to God.

May this be our habit, moment by moment.

Colossians 1:9-10 NIV  For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  (10)  And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God