SWHW Bible Reading Plan - Year 2 January 2021Sample

January 25

Top Takeaway from Alonda Tanner:

Have you ever gone to someone for advice, and the moment they dish out their wisdom, you're immediately sorry you asked because you didn't get the response you were hoping for? In fact, you were told what the outcome of your choice would be, and that it was going to be rough. What did you do with that? Did you get a second opinion or go for it anyway and hang on for dear life? 

This is the situation King Jehoshaphat and King Ahab have found themselves in. Jehoshaphat has spent the first few years of his reign turning the people of Judah back to the Lord. As a result, the Lord blessed Judah with peace among the surrounding cities (2 Chronicles 17:10). Then through marriage, Jehoshaphat became allies with Ahab, and this is where it gets interesting. 

Though allies, these two kings are divided in faith. Jehoshaphat is committed to the Lord, whereas Ahab is committed to false gods. The two had very different priorities and loyalties. 

So when Ahab comes to Jehoshaphat asking him to go to battle with him against Gilead, it only makes sense that Jehoshaphat and Ahab would seek counsel from two different sources. 

Here's the thing about seeking wise counsel; it’s a lesson Ahab had to learn in one of the hardest ways possible. There is no wisdom apart from the Lord. When God speaks, whatever He says is, and there isn't a strength or knowledge in the world that can uproot that. 

Jehoshaphat knows this which is why even after consulting 400 of Ahab's prophets, he required Ahab to find someone to hear from the Lord. Now here's the part that gave me pause. Ahab knew a man in the kingdom who heard from the Lord and would provide wise counsel. Yet, he was unwilling to approach this man because he knew he wasn't going to like what he had to say. 

This man was credible. He prophesied to Ahab before, and his words were proven true each time. But because they never produced the outcome Ahab wanted, he stopped accepting counsel from this man. 

How often do we shy away from wisdom because we don't like what it is asking of us? Or we don't want to endure the hardship of it?

Walking in godly wisdom is not always an easy road, but it is the fruitful one. We won't always understand what is being produced through our obedience to God or the wisdom that He gives us to weigh our choices. 

In those moments of uncertainty, the wisest thing we can do is trust the wisdom of the Lord. The best next step is to be obedient to it. If we want to be at peace with the decision, we lean on what we know to be true of God. He is good, just, and righteous. 

Two kings went into battle with Gilead—one with a submitted heart and the other with a rebellious heart. For both people, justice was served. God spoke. His words did not fail. His wisdom did not waiver, and it never will.

Lord, today we are reminded that Your wisdom is life to those who seek it and walk in it. We don't always understand Your ways; even so, teach us to always value Your wisdom. Remind us that You are faithful and that we can trust You even when we don't make sense of all the pieces or aren't thrilled with the direction we're moving. We praise You and we thank You that even when it's hard You love us enough to lead us in the truth.  Amen.