Beware of False Friends 04.30.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday April 30, 2008 and today we are completing our study on the book of I KIngs. Please read Chapters 21-22 in your Bible or Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2021-22&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the covetousness of Ahab leading Jezebel to murder Naboth, and the death of Ahab and Jezebel is foretold. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we must be careful who we associate ourselves with.

Ahab ruled the northern kingdom of Israel where his capital was the city of Samaria. His evil, wasted life is summed up in just a few words, There were none like, Ahab. "But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols, according to all things as did the Amorites, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel." (I Kings 21:25-26).

Ahab invited Jehoshaphat, his daughter's father-in-law who was the king of Judah, to join him in a war to regain Ramoth-gilead, a strategic fortress on the Syrian border. Four hundred of Ahab's paid prophets unanimously assured the two kings of a great victory. "And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria? And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king." (22:2-6).

However, godly Jehoshaphat, having an uneasy feeling with the unanimous decision of facing such a grave crisis, asked for prophets of God to be called. "And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so." (22:7-8).

Ahab sent the messengers to get Micaiah. The messengers attempted to persuade Micaiah to agree with the false prophets and assured him that by doing so he would win the king's favor and be released from prison. But neither fears nor favors tempted Micaiah to betray his calling. He refused to be intimidated even by the presence of two kings and his 400 experts. Micaiah's one vote of opposition was rejected by Ahab who fulfilled the very prophecy proclaimed by Micaiah. There were 400 yes votes to one no vote, a miserable minority, but truth is seldom with the majority. Though he was slapped, dragged back to prison, and threatened with cruel treatment, the faithful Micaiah persisted in maintaining the truthfulness of his message and called upon the people to bear witness to it. "And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you." (22:25-28).

God's presence can transform a dungeon into a palace when one is aware of God's presence. I saw the Lord was the response of this lonely prophet. A revelation from the Lord revealed the shallowness of earthly greatness. Many have sacrificed truth and good conscience for popular opinion or earthly treasures. Micaiah chose to wait for future rewards and endured the suffering he faced by not following those false prophets. We need to admire and follow the words of the Apostle Paul, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." (Acts 20:22-24).

We must be careful with whom or what we align our lives, hanging around the wrong person can cause great affliction in the end. Only by reading God's Word daily can we keep from making wrong decisions and falling into the control of wordly people. "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." ( II Thessalonians 3:3).

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed By Micaiah, who would say only what God instructed him to say (I Kings 22:14). Jesus faithfully told others only what God told Him to say. "Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things." (John 8:28).

Today's Psalm: 16:8
"I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon Jesus. When the howling winds and forceful storms of this life attempt to shipwreck my faith may they instead prove my faith to be more than sufficient to withstand the continual assaults from the enemy. Because I take refuge in Jesus my spiritual foundation is firm, always dependable, and leads me to glorious victory. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.
God Bless,
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net