📜 Scripture Focus:

“Then Jehoshaphat added, ‘But first let’s find out what the Lord says.’”
—1 Kings 22:5 NLT

“Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. ‘Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?’ he asked the king. ‘Because of what you have done, the Lord is very angry with you.’”
—2 Chronicles 19:2 NLT

“Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people… encouraging the people to return to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
…“Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment… Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”
…“You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart.”
—2 Chronicles 19:4, 6–7, 9 NLT

📝 Devotional Thought:
King Ahab was one of the most wicked kings Israel had ever seen. So why would Jehoshaphat—a godly king—choose to align himself with someone who openly hated the Lord? I don’t fully understand it, but human nature can be confusing. Even as believers, we sometimes do the same thing. We can align ourselves with worldliness—whether through people, habits, or compromises—and ignore the danger of being yoked with those who do not love God.

Psalm 119:63 says, “I am a friend to anyone who fears you—anyone who obeys your commandments.” That should be our standard, too.

Jehoshaphat tried to make peace, but we can never truly make peace with the enemies of God without risking compromise. And though the Lord was angry with him, He saw the good that remained in Jehoshaphat’s heart and brought something beautiful out of his misstep. After returning home, Jehoshaphat went out among the people, encouraging them to return to the Lord and setting up righteous judges with clear instructions to fear the Lord and act with integrity.
But one thing stood out most: even before he joined Ahab, Jehoshaphat said, “But first, let’s find out what the Lord says.” He knew that in every situation, the first step is to seek the Lord’s will.
That’s the lesson I want to hold onto today.

💡 Lesson for Me:
In every decision, big or small, let these words guide me:
“But first, let’s find out what the Lord says.”

🔍 How to Seek the Lord’s Direction:
1. Pray – Pour out your heart to the Lord. Ask Him what His will is.

2. Seek Godly Counsel – Ask someone who lives for the Lord and walks in His ways. Don’t just ask anyone.

3. Check the Word – What does God’s Word say about it? Does it line up with Scripture?

4. Pray Again – Bring back to the Lord the wisdom you’ve received and ask Him to confirm it.

5. Wait on Him – Don’t rush. The Lord will answer. Wait for His peace.


📖 Ladies, take time to read these original Hebrew words and their deeper meanings. Let them guide you into a richer understanding of what the Lord is saying through these verses. There is wisdom in His Word when we slow down and truly seek Him.


Hebrew Word Study:

🌿 1. “Seek” (דָּרַשׁ — darash)
2 Chronicles 18:4 – “Then Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, ‘First seek the counsel of the Lord.’”

• Hebrew: darash
• Deeper meaning: This word means more than just “ask” or “inquire.” It implies earnestly pursuing, investigating deeply, or frequenting. It’s the word used for diligently searching the Scriptures or worshiping God wholeheartedly.
• Spiritual Insight: Jehoshaphat wasn’t simply saying, “Let’s check in with God.” He was expressing the importance of actively seeking the Lord’s will with intention, persistence, and reverence.

🌿 2. “Counsel” (דְּבַר־יְהוָה — d’var YHWH)
2 Chronicles 18:4 – “…seek the word of the Lord.”

• Hebrew: d’var YHWH
• Deeper meaning: D’var (word) carries the weight of a matter, a decree, or command, not just spoken words. It represents divine will, not merely human advice.
• Spiritual Insight: When we say “the Word of the Lord,” it means what He has declared to be true and binding, not just something He said casually. This adds weight to the idea of seeking His counsel.

🌿 3. “Rebuke” (חָרָה אַף — charah aph)
2 Chronicles 19:2 – “Because of this, the wrath of the Lord is upon you.”

• Hebrew: charah (to be kindled, burn) + aph (nostrils, often symbolic of anger)
• Deeper meaning: This is a vivid image: charah aph literally describes the flaring of the nostrils in anger, which in Hebrew metaphor represents God’s holy indignation.
• Spiritual Insight: God’s anger here isn’t emotional outburst—it’s righteous, covenant-based correction. He was not just displeased; He was stirred with holy passion against compromise.

🌿 4. “Fear” (יִרְאַת יְהוָה — yirat YHWH)
2 Chronicles 19:7, 9 – “Fear the Lord and judge with integrity…”

• Hebrew: yirah (fear) + YHWH
• Deeper meaning: This is not fear like terror, but a deep awe, reverence, and trembling respect that leads to obedience.
• Spiritual Insight: This phrase is common in wisdom literature (Proverbs, Psalms). It implies a foundational posture of the heart before God—humble, reverent, and submissive to His authority. It’s fear that protects you from straying.

🌿 5. “Undivided heart” (שָׁלֵם לֵבָב — shalem levav)
2 Chronicles 19:9 – “…with faithfulness and an undivided heart.”

• Hebrew: shalem (whole, complete, full) + levav (heart)
• Deeper meaning: This phrase refers to a heart that is fully surrendered, at peace, not double-minded or fragmented.
• Spiritual Insight: It’s the same word used of King Asa’s heart earlier in Kings—wholly devoted. This isn’t just about avoiding sin; it’s about having no other allegiance or mixture in your devotion to the Lord.

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, before I take a step, help me to say as Jehoshaphat did, “But first, let’s find out what the Lord says.” Teach me to darash—to seek You not casually, but earnestly, with a heart that longs to know and obey Your will. Let me not be satisfied with surface answers but draw me into the depth of Your Word and presence.
May I honor Your d’var, Your declared Word—recognizing it as not just advice, but holy truth and divine counsel that is trustworthy and binding. Help me to treat Your voice with reverence and weight, not taking lightly what You have revealed.
Keep me from aligning with anything or anyone that leads me away from wholehearted devotion. When You bring correction, let me understand it not as anger without purpose, but as charah aph—Your righteous and passionate jealousy for my soul. Thank You for loving me enough to confront compromise and lead me back to truth.
Teach me what it means to walk in yirat YHWH—a holy fear that reveres You above all else and shapes every decision I make. Let this fear guard my heart and keep me from straying.
And most of all, Lord, give me a shalem levav—an undivided heart, fully surrendered and completely Yours. I don’t want to live with mixed loyalties or partial obedience. Make me whole in my love for You, faithful in all things, and joyful in walking in Your perfect will.
In Jesus’ name, amen.