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Today is Friday May 1, 2009 and we are completing our studies on the book of I Kings. Please read chapters 21-22 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2021-22&version=9

Today's Message: Destroyed By Friends
We need to be careful who we associate with, the wrong person can completely corrupt us and destroy us.

Ahab ruled the northern kingdom of Israel from his capital city of Samaria. His evil, wasted life was summed up in one verse. "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's biggest mistake was that he married Jezebel. She corrupted him, controlled him and turned him away from God. We all have to be careful of who we choose for a mate or friend. It's sad, but we even have to be careful of which family members we are to get close to.

God gave Ahab a miraculous victory over the Syrian king Benhadad at Aphek (I Kings 20:28-30). Although he made no covenant with God, he did make a covenant with Benhadad, his enemy, after defeating him, calling him my brother (20:32). He then released him with the assurance that he would return Ramothgilead, a strategic fortress near the border. But three years passed and it was still under Syrian control. "And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel. 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?" (I Kings 22:1-3).

Four hundred of Ahab's false prophets unanimously assured the two kings of a great victory, but Jehoshaphat was a godly man and had an uneasy feeling about joining Ahab. He asked for counsel from a prophet of God. "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. Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah." (22:7-9). You can be sure that anytime you get around someone who lives a wicked, sinful life that they will have a hatered toward godly men and women. The main reason it that they are feeling convicted all on their own and are reminded of how sinful the live their lives.

Micaiah, was sent to prison earlier because of his faithfulness to God, all men and women of God were persecuted as long as Jezebel was queen. The messenger that went to get Micaiah 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."And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak." (22:13-14). Micaiah's one vote of opposition was rejected by Ahab who fulfilled the very prophecy proclaimed by Micaiah. Neither fears nor favors tempted Micaiah to betray his calling, he refused to be intimidated into leing even by the presence of two kings and his 400 experts.

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 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." (22:26-28). God proved the obedient prophet correct when Ahab was killed on the first day of battle.

The tragic consequences of Ahab's disregard for the Word of God should be a warning to all who are making the same fatal mistake. We must be careful with whom we align our lives with. When we allow corrupted people to influence us we become corrupted too. It is only by living with God, reading His Word, and getting around other godly people that can we keep from making wrong decisions that can corrupt and destroy us.

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 God,
Help us to be ever watchful and always prayerful as we see the foundations of our Christian faith attacked. Through the power of Your Spirit we want to take a firm position against the enemy and be strong in our faith. We stand with our Christian brothers and sisters all over the world who are going through the same kind of struggles, or worse, and especially pray for those who are paying a great price for their uncompromising stand. You assure us that after we suffer for a little while, You will restore, support, strengthen and sustain us as we remain firm on Your foundation. In Jesus' Name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night.
God Bless you,
Christina

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