Title: King Ahaziah
Memorize: And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the Lord, like the house of Ahab, for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab. 2 Kings 8:27 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 2 Kings 1:2-6 (Nkjv)
[2] Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.”
[3] But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’
[4] Now therefore, thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” So Elijah departed.
[5] And when the messengers returned to him, he said to them, “Why have you come back?”
[6] So they said to him, “A man came up to meet us, and said to us, ‘Go, return to the king who sent you, and say to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’ ” ’ ”
Message:
King Ahaziah of Israel was sick, and he desperately sought a solution to his problem.
He probably believed in the philosophy that the end justifies the means; that is, what matters is getting one’s needs met, and how one does it is unimportant.
This is possibly why, in his desperation, he sought help from the god of Ekron and wrote his own death sentence (2 Kings 1:6).
Are you tempted to follow crooked methods and systems to get quick results?
Would you rather get involved in cybercrimes to get rich?
Would you engage in examination malpractices to pass an examination? This story of Ahaziah is a warning to you.
The only way to have good success is through God’s word.
Beloved, like Ahaziah, you will be tempted to take shortcuts or find alternatives that bring immediate success and riches.
However, they will eventually take you away from God’s will and purpose.
Key Point:
A balanced Christian life is dependent on God.
HYMN 18 – TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
1 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”
CHORUS
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
3 Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
4 I’m so glad Learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend,
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27 Luke 12:8-34
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A ADEBOYE
PASTOR MRS FOLU ADEBOYE