Dearly Beloved,

WHO IS YOUR ASSOCIATE?

"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" (1
Corinthians 15:33, NIV).

"Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat,
saying, 'Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD will
destroy what you have made.' The ships were wrecked and were not able
to set sail to trade" (2 Chronicles 20:37, NIV).

King Jehoshaphat of Judah was one of the good kings that did well in
following the ways of the Lord. The writers of the Scriptures wrote
good things about him and his reign. God in turn blessed him by being
with him and making him prospered (see 2 Chronicles 17:1-5). He had
successes in all his military endeavors (verse 10; 2 Chronicles 20).
Because of the peace that God granted him, he built many forts and
store cities in Judah, apart from the experienced fighting men that he
had (see 2 Chronicles 17:12-19). However, he associated himself with
wicked kings, Kings Ahab and Ahaziah of Israel (see 2 Chronicles 18:1;
20:35). This made him to have marriage alliance with them. He joined
them in battle, and tried to make trade with them. Each of these
alliances had adverse effects on Jehoshaphat. He was nearly killed in
the battle (2 Chronicles 18); the partnership with Ahaziah failed
woefully (2 Chronicles 20:37); and the marriage alliance renewed
idolatry and wickedness in Judah. In fact, Athaliah, the daughter of
Ahab who married the son of Jehoshaphat, later nearly wiped away all
the royal lineage of Jehoshaphat. She committed great atrocities in
the land before God intervened (see 2 Chronicles 22:10—23:15). What a
great consequence of bad company!

Many people today have been causing bad effects on themselves because
of the people with whom they associate themselves. Most of such people
are good people, but their associates are not. Some of such people
have even become corrupted because of their associates. Since they
cannot beat them in most cases, they join them in their corrupt
practices. Besides, how can God bless such partnerships? God
categorically told Jehoshaphat He would destroy such partnership, and
He did! (2 Chronicles 20:37). He had earlier warned him, but he did
not yield to the warning (see 2 Chronicles 19:2).

Who are your associates? With whom do you work in partnership? Will
your partnership with such people incur the blessings of God, or His
wrath and destruction? Associate with godly people so that you will be
more successful in all your undertakings.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).


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_________________________
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
+234 805 515 9591
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will
have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted
in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST
AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV).