Title: Don’t Befriend Evil
Memorize: You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. Exodus 23:2 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 21:1-6 (Nkjv)
[1] And Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. Then Jehoram his son reigned in his place.
[2] He had brothers, the sons of Jehoshaphat: Azariah, Jehiel, Zechariah, Azaryahu, Michael, and Shephatiah; all these were the sons of Jehoshaphat king of Israel.
[3] Their father gave them great gifts of silver and gold and precious things, with fortified cities in Judah; but he gave the kingdom to Jehoram, because he was the firstborn.
[4] Now when Jehoram was established over the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself and killed all his brothers with the sword, and also others of the princes of Israel.
[5] Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
[6] And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for he had the daughter of Ahab as a wife; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Message:
King Jehoram was the son of King Jehoshaphat and the fifth king of Judah. He was 32 years old when he began to reign. His reign was marked by disaster and turmoil. Today’s Bible reading tells us that Jehoram succeeded his father, Jehoshaphat, as king of Judah. Unlike his father, Jehoram did not follow the ways of the Lord; instead, he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and married the daughter of King Ahab of Israel – a woman named Athaliah. This alliance with the wicked King Ahab and his family led Jehoram down a path of destruction, which ultimately led to his suffering and death.
Beloved, the importance of being careful and prayerful while choosing your friends cannot be overemphasised. Some people are in prison or juvenile homes today because of their wrong choice of friends. It is not all friendship proposals that you should accept. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you always and you will not befriend an enemy of your destiny, in Jesus’ name.
Prayer Point:
Father, please expose enemies who are pretending to be my friends, in Jesus’ name.
Hymn 55 – Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose
1 Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose;
Hear Thy Guardian Angel Say,
“Thou Art In The Midst Of Foes:
Watch And Pray!”
2 Principalities And Powers,
Mustering Their Unseen Array,
Wait For Thy Unguarded Hours:
“Watch And Pray.”
3 Gird Thy Heavenly Armour On;
Wear It Every Night And Day
Ambush’d Lies The Evil One:
“Watch And Pray.”
4 Hear The Victors Who O’ercame;
Still They Mark Each Warrior’s Way;
All With One Sweet Voice Exclaim,
“Watch And Pray!”
5 Hear, Above All, Hear Thy Lord,
Him Thou Lovest To Obey;
Hide Within Thy Heart His Word:
“Watch And Pra!.”
6 Watch, As If On That Alone
Hung The Issue Of The Day;
Pray, That Help May Be Sent Down:
Watch And Pray.
Bible In One Year: Micah 5:1-7:20 Revelation 7:1-17
AUTHORS: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE AND FOLU ADEBOYE