Devon Fouch
Sep 17, 2025
2nd Chronicles 18:1-4 “Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter. A few years later, he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to recover Ramoth-gilead. “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Jehoshaphat replied “Why of course! You and I are as one, and my troops are your troops. We will certainly join you in battle.” Then Jehoshaphat added “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”
Have We Gotten Comfortable?
The Joshua Mindset
Israel was divided into two kingdoms: 1.) The North, Israel, ruled by Ahab, and 2.) The South, Judah, ruled by Jehoshaphat.
Israel’s wickedness was spreading into Judah.
2nd Chronicles 17:3-4 “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal. He sought his father’s God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel.”
Jehoshaphat adopted the “Joshua Mindset”.
Obedience Brings Revival
2nd Chronicles 17:6-7, 9 “He was deeply committed to the ways of the Lord. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah. In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials to teach in all the towns of Judah.” & “They took copies of the Book of the Law of the Lord and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.”
When you get rid of what doesn’t belong, you have to replace it with what does belong.
Revival wasn’t brought to Judah until Jehoshaphat brought it to himself.
How can we expect to experience the fullness of God if we won’t let God experience the fullness of our hearts?
The Comfort of Success
Your obedience to God will bring you the blessings of God.
Obedience established Jehoshaphat and brought peace to Judah.
Your obedience changes you and those around you.
It’s easy to be taken from success to comfort and from comfort to compromise.
Are We Guarding Our Inner Circle?
Your Anointing Is Attractive
In his comfort, Jehoshaphat compromises by aligning with Ahab.
Ahab only wanted to use Jehoshaphat’s anointing for his benefit.
The enemy wants to steal your anointing.
When you lose your anointing, you lose your strength.
The Importance of Guarding Your Inner Circle
Luke 6:12-13 “One day soon afterward, Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles…”
If Jesus put this much time & consideration into who he let into his inner circle, why don’t we?
Everyone does not have the right to intimacy with you.
Guarding our inner circle extends beyond just people butapplies to the things we let in our life too.
What you learn to tolerate, you will eventually learn to endorse.
Which Voice Are You Listening To?
Jehoshaphat knew Ahab’s prophets couldn’t be trusted, so he asked for a true prophet of the Lord.
Despite Micaiah’s prophecy, Jehoshaphat went to battle anyway.
Why do we ask God for advice when we’ve already made up our minds?
When you seek the Lord about a decision you’ve already made, you don’t want direction. You’re seeking validation.
Why Do We Fight What We’re Not Called To?
The Danger of Attachment
When you let something into your inner circle, you become attached to its baggage.
Jehoshaphat tied himself to Ahab and was dragged into Ahab’s battle.
2nd Chronicles 18:28-29 “So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes.” So, the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.”
It’s Time To Stop Fighting
You’re fighting a battle you’re not called to if the thing that brought you to the battle abandons you in it.
2nd Chronicles 20:15 “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s!”
Hebrews 13:5 “I will never fail you, I will never abandon you.”
If God brought you to it, He will either see you through it or He will fight it for you!
Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”