The very last chapter of the book of 1 Kings has a story about Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah, going down to visit Ahab, the King of Israel. There was finally peace between the two divided Kingdoms and it had been three years since any war against Syria.. While he was visiting there, Ahab invited Jehoshaphat to go and take back some land that the Syrians had not returned to them. Jehoshaphat said, "I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses". Basically, he said, "I'm with you, buddy".
Then, Jehoshaphat suggests to inquire of the Lord first. Ahab proceeds to gather 400 of the prophets to ask them if he should go up against Ramoth-Gilead to battle. They all said yes, "go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king."
Something didn't settle right with Jehoshaphat; there was not a complete peace about going. The power of great numbers and the persuasion of the prophets was not enough to calm the lack of peace in Jehoshaphat's heart. Something just didn't seem right. Everyone said yes to the plan, why should he be doubting? Jehoshaphat asks if there were any other prophets besides these. Ahab replies, "Yes, there is Micaiah, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good concerning me, but evil."
This is a red flag! Ahab was taking advise from people who would agree with him. He was avoiding the one who he knew would probably disagree with him. How many of us are guilty of this? I know I have been. If you have kids, you know this is true. We grow up with this human instinct of wanting our own way and it being approved by others. How many kids go to mom because they know dad would say no? How many kids go to dad because they know mom will say no? How many people search for friends or leaders or pastors who will agree with them and their side of the story - or their own moral standard of living? How many people will avoid the person they know might question their choice of the one they want to marry? Maybe there's differences in a political position? Do we seek approval from only the people we know will agree with us? Or do we really want to know what God has to say? Maybe God is in agreement with some of our decisions, but a lot of times, we make decisions on our own and seek council from whom we want to receive it. These are some very, very heavy questions that force us to make Thoughtful Decisions.
The story goes on and it does not turn out favorable for Ahab. What stood out to me most here is the red flag I just raised. This definitely challenges me to make wise decisions; to make Thoughtful Decisions. It challenges me to seek God's council even though I may not like it; even though it might mean I'll have to sacrifice my "desire". God is love and he wants us to experience the Abundant Life Jesus came to give us. To be able to have that, it includes listening to His voice.
Even though we may have made an "unthoughtful decision" in the past, God still speaks to us through the stormy weather we got ourselves into. John 10:4 says, "the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out." It doesn't matter what situation we find ourselves in, if Jesus is our Shepherd, he will help us get through the storm. In some cases, our decision may have bound us to someone. When we listen to the Lord with a humble heart and follow His leading, he will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. He will guide us through the storm. He will lead us out of the turbulence we've brought upon ourselves. God did not cause the storm we got ourselves into, but he will help us through it if we listen to Him because "all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).
It is our responsibility to listen to His voice in order to make Thoughtful Decisions that will allow us to live the Abundant Life and free us from having to experience some of the storms we sometimes put ourselves in.
Let's stop, listen, and make Thoughtful Decisions.
