And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil . . . (2 Chronicles 18:7).  

As human beings, we are prone to seek out information that supports the opinions we hold. Research shows that we’re actually twice as likely to look for information that supports our position. When we’re deeply committed to our own way of thinking, we avoid having that thinking challenged by opposing positions. 

Such was the case in King Ahab’s rule over Israel. When he and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, discussed whether to go to war against Ramoth Gilead, Ahab gathered 400 prophets—men he’d appointed to that role himself and would therefore tell him what he wanted to hear—to help them decide. Each replied he should go, saying “God will deliver it into the king’s hand” (2 Chronicles 18:5). Jehoshaphat asked whether there was a prophet who had been chosen by God through whom they could inquire of the Lord. Ahab responded reluctantly because God’s prophet, Micaiah, “never prophesied good unto me (him), but always evil” (v. 7). Indeed, Micaiah indicated they wouldn’t be victorious, and the people would be “scattered upon the mountains” (v. 16). 

In reading their story, I see how I too tend to avoid wise advice if it isn’t what I want to hear. In Ahab’s case, the result of listening to his “yes men”—400 prophets—was disastrous (v. 34). May we be willing to seek and listen to the voice of truth, God’s words in the Bible, even when it contradicts our personal preferences. 

Lord, help me to seek and heed Your counsel even when it’s against my desires or popular thought. Amen. 

When I read this devotion it blessed me. As children of God we should be willing and open to have our desires and thoughts challenged by opposing positions. Our personal preference should never supersede His counsel and I believe He will send others to challenge the opinion we hold. When we are praying, reading our word and spending time with God, it makes heeding His counsel and those of others much easier. As today’s devotion states, we must first be willing to seek and listen to the voice of truth, God’s words in the Bible. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). 

Have a beautiful day in The Lord!  

Today’s Reading is Proverbs 15:1