25/06/2017 - LESSON NOT LEARNED

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After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. 2 Chronicles 20:35

It seems that King Jehoshaphat not only liked to see the Lord in action but he also liked to provoke Him, because he partnered himself to the son of Ahab, a wicked man known for acting in an ungodly manner. Whoever does not love God is not worthy to be our friend, much less a partner in any undertaking or other activity. We should not avoid the wicked, but we must deliver to them the holy message with due respect for this, being the ambassadors of the Lord Most High.

Why didn’t the King of Judah ponder and reflect before building a shipyard with the wicked Ahaziah? Understand this: the lack of fear will never end well. Often times, a Christian faithful to God will be won by the temptation to ally to someone he doesn’t even know, but says he made an “incredible” discovery to get rich. Those who join with the wicked, show no fear of the Lord. The son who shames lives in search of gold that is never found and shows no love for the Lord.

Jesus declared that fascination for riches has the power to upset the eternal Seed that produces the plan of God. (Mark 4:19) Many let themselves be led by Satan and today, completely frustrated, they blame the Lord for their failure. How could God bless Jehoshaphat in the shipyard enterprise if his partner was a wicked man? Be careful about choosing who you will partner to, because the responsibility for the consequences of this act will be all yours.

To join with the son of the assassin and the wicked man will not yield good fruit. History reports about people who believed in lies and later noticed an even greater mistake: they turned away from the Word. He who serves God must first consult Him to know if he should associate even with someone who says he is God’s servant. There are many liars in our midst; making it necessary to take all legal precautions, in order not to have any unpleasant surprises.

Be on guard so as not to be deceived by the devil. The enemy will try to distract you from the wonderful plan of the Most High and then, when you least expect it, you will realize your opportunity has gone. Do not waste any advice or counsel from the Word. If you do, you will regret it and often it will be too late. We have only this time to serve the Creator; later on, during a Godless eternity it will be useless to ask to return to complete the work. Do everything that the Father instructs you to do.

Even with disastrous Biblical examples we see many of the saved associating with the lost or the wicked in commercial adventures and in matrimonial bonds. He who does not love our Father does not love us too. The Biblical orientation is to guard those who have; acting this way no one will steal your crown (Revelations 3:11) If you are zealous in keeping divine directions, you will be the only beneficiary. If on the other hand you are loose in your faith, you will be held responsible for your defeat.

Paul, the apostle warned us to flee from prostitution, for those that join their flesh in prostitution become one with the other (1 Corinthians 6:16) and cannot be rescued or helped by the Almighty. Join the Lord God and you will participate in an unbreakable and eternal Covenant. There is no way the devil can reach or touch him who loves the Lord and does His will: he and God become one and inseparable.

In Christ, with Love,

R. R. Soares