The Lord has Given Us Wisdom & Discernment

II Chronicles 17:3-4:”Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel.”

Between Israel and Judah, they had forty-two kings and only eight of them could be said that they walked with the Lord. In other words, thirty-four walked not in the way of the Lord, one who did walk with the Lord and cared for the people was Jehoshaphat.

Jehoshaphat said of him that he walked in the former ways of his father, David. He sought God and the Lord established the kingdom in his hands. His heart took delight in the ways of the Lord, he removed the high places. He sent leaders to the people to teach them the Book of the Law. As a result, the fear of the Lord fills upon all the kingdom. So, Jehoshaphat was a great king and because of his devotion to the Lord the kingdom and people prospered. 

If Jehoshaphat had a fault it was getting dupped by people who wanted to use him for their purposes. Ahab, who was king of Israel asked Jehoshaphat if he would join in his battle against Ramoth Gilead not really telling Jehoshaphat his real purpose. The prophet Micaiah warned Jehoshaphat not to get involved in this war.  But Jehoshaphat didn’t listen, and then King Ahab as they were getting ready to go into battle, suggested to Jehoshaphat something and he bought it.  II Chronicles 18:29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.” So, the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle. Or in other words, I will disguise myself and you go out looking like a target, because Ahab knew they were looking for him and they would mistake Jehoshaphat for Ahab. Well, Jehoshaphat did get out of this alive, but I am not sure he had learned his lesson because Jehoshaphat got involved with Ahaziah in a ship building operation and it went bust.  II Chronicles 20:37 says that all the ships were wrecked.

There is a great lesson in the story of Jehoshaphat of which I believe was a great man and a good man, but he was naive in allowing unethical people to use him. The lesson for us in this technological age when so many are trying to scam people is we need to pray that the Lord would give us wisdom and discernment that we don’t allow evil people to use us. I have read story after story of people, especially older people, who have lost thousands of dollars from people scamming them. 

The Bible tells us in the things that God hates Proverbs 6:17-18 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, So, how do we protect ourselves in this day of deception one verse that speaks to this is found in I John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.                      

Pastor Lee Cruse I believe that if a person is walking with the Lord and walking in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will cause them to have consternation in their spirit that something is not right. Also, if you have questions about something and you need help in discerning it, call the church, we are here to help you in any way we can.