2 Chronicles 19:1-7
As I prepared my heart to write this devotion, I wanted to share a personal experience of being teachable after a mistake. Hmm… which mistake would I use as an example? My mistakes are many, that list is lengthy. One thing that I can recall for certain are the times when I was NOT teachable. Those times that I allowed pride to take the throne of my life. Ugh, my entitlement, my foolishness, my down-right stupidity. Three reminders come to mind; James 4, 1 Peter 5 and Proverbs 3, is that God “opposes” the proud and gives grace to the humble. Oh friends, I have learned the hard way one too many times that when I’m in a fisticuffs with God, opposed to Him, that I am not going to win that one. My thick-skulled, strong-willed self is thankful that God gives grace to the humble and I’m even more grateful that God has shown that grace to me over and over again. Mistakes do not have to define us; they can become the classroom where wisdom is learned. 2 Chronicles 19:1–7 gives us a powerful picture of what happens when we are willing to listen, receive correction, and choose God’s wisdom instead of insisting on our own way.
Historically, King Jehoshaphat of Judah was a good king who sought God and brought spiritual reforms to the nation. Yet he made a serious mistake by forming an alliance with wicked King Ahab of Israel and going into battle with him. Ahab was killed, and Jehoshaphat returned safely to Jerusalem. Rather than allowing the king to continue without correction, God sent the prophet Jehu to confront him: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?” (2 Chronicles 19:2, NIV). Jehoshaphat could have become defensive or ignored the rebuke, but instead he continued pursuing God and worked to lead Judah back toward faithful obedience.
This passage reminds us that being teachable is a sign of strength, not weakness. Wisdom often comes through people God places in our lives to lovingly point out what we cannot see for ourselves. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Correction may sting our pride, but it can protect our future.
Jehoshaphat's experience teaches us that one poor decision does not require a lifetime of poor decisions. We can stop, listen, learn, and make a wiser choice the next time. Choosing God's way requires humility—acknowledging that our feelings, desires, and understanding are not always enough.
The power of wisdom is found in surrendering our way to God's way. When we become teachable, mistakes become opportunities for growth rather than permanent failures. God does not merely want to correct our behavior; He wants to transform our hearts so that our future choices reflect His wisdom. When we listen to godly correction and seek God's direction first, we can move forward wiser, stronger, and more faithful than before.
Historically, King Jehoshaphat of Judah was a good king who sought God and brought spiritual reforms to the nation. Yet he made a serious mistake by forming an alliance with wicked King Ahab of Israel and going into battle with him. Ahab was killed, and Jehoshaphat returned safely to Jerusalem. Rather than allowing the king to continue without correction, God sent the prophet Jehu to confront him: “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?” (2 Chronicles 19:2, NIV). Jehoshaphat could have become defensive or ignored the rebuke, but instead he continued pursuing God and worked to lead Judah back toward faithful obedience.
This passage reminds us that being teachable is a sign of strength, not weakness. Wisdom often comes through people God places in our lives to lovingly point out what we cannot see for ourselves. Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Correction may sting our pride, but it can protect our future.
Jehoshaphat's experience teaches us that one poor decision does not require a lifetime of poor decisions. We can stop, listen, learn, and make a wiser choice the next time. Choosing God's way requires humility—acknowledging that our feelings, desires, and understanding are not always enough.
The power of wisdom is found in surrendering our way to God's way. When we become teachable, mistakes become opportunities for growth rather than permanent failures. God does not merely want to correct our behavior; He wants to transform our hearts so that our future choices reflect His wisdom. When we listen to godly correction and seek God's direction first, we can move forward wiser, stronger, and more faithful than before.
Posted in Devotional