2 Chronicles 18:6-7–But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.
There is nothing natural about “embracing” those things that condemn our heart.  Our response is like Adam and Eve, who hid from God after they sinned.  Knowing something was wrong, confronting it was not instinctive, but running away from it was!  Which makes us consider our own daily responses, to our thoughts and actions before God…
King Ahab of Israel was a wicked king, who had no desire to serve the Lord, but surrounded himself with prophets who enabled his wickedness.  But King Jehoshaphat did serve the Lord and knew this about Ahab.  So instead of resorting to his “band of enablers”, he wanted Micaiah who was outside of Ahab’s circle…
King Ahab knew Micaiah served the Lord and since Ahab didn’t, he interpreted everything Micaiah said as evil contention against him!  Which makes us ask, why didn’t Ahab look at his own heart, and consider that he was evil?  Ahab refused to look at himself and his actions, because he was adamant to fulfill his own desires and be served in them!  Such a heart never wants to consider an alternative to it’s “ways”, because it is hardened/stubborn…
King Jehoshaphat’s inquiry of the true prophet, gives us a “blueprint” as to why seeking God through His Word, should be a priority for all of us who claim to serve the Lord.  Because the Word reveals our heart, and striving to obey says that we are not hiding, but want to be held accountable to what is right by God!
Sadly King Ahab interprets what is good to be evil, leaving no room to ever be held accountable for his wrong thinking and actions.  Many times we will find ourselves like Ahab if we are not honest before God’s Word.  Like Ahab, are we only surrounding ourselves with people who enable us, while avoiding any challenge from the truth?  If so, are you “at peace” in how you think and act?
In His Love, Ld