Destruction: A Study in 2 KingsSample

What does it say?

Joram formed an alliance with two other kings to squelch the Moabite rebellion. When the armies ran out of water, Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet of the Lord.

What does it mean?

Joram, king of Israel, neglected the wise practice of seeking counsel from a godly prophet before entering into conflict. As a result, the coalition almost failed until the kings sought out the prophet Elisha. Only the presence of the godly Judean King Jehoshaphat allowed Elisha to reveal a miraculous plan to destroy the rebellious Moabites and save them from Joram’s failure as a spiritual leader. Outwardly, he had made a show of godliness by putting away the pillar of Baal, but Elisha was aware of Joram’s evil character and pagan religious practices.

How should I respond?

Every day some new decision is placed before you. Do you seek God’s guidance from the start, or do you act first and wait until there’s trouble before calling on the Lord? Understanding how to make choices in light of God’s will can be a struggle, but it’s less of a mystery than many believe. Start with prayer. Ask God to help you recognize the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then, choose to be thankful for everything because a negative attitude will skew your thinking. The final thing – and the hardest for most – is to submit humbly to the authorities God has placed over you. God’s will isn’t a mystery to be solved but the result of prayerful obedience.