ESOCS Devotional 22 March 2023
TEXT: 1 KINGS 22:29-40
MEMORY VERSE: “And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.” 1 Kings 22:30 KJV
Jehoshaphat was a godly king; his mistake was that he sought the friendship of ungodly Ahab, and this led him into some predicaments. He almost lost his life in the battle, and when he went south back to Judah, the prophet Jehu reprimanded him. Jehu said, “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? Therefore, is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. Nevertheless, there are (some) good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves (idols) out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God” (2 Chronicles 19:2-3). For us today—to witness to unbelievers and to offer them help is one thing, but to join them in immoral activities is something else. The believer who is seeking to live by God’s Word will know when and how to build bridges, and when and how to build walls.
Ahab basely intended to betray Jehoshaphat to danger that he might secure himself. See what they get that join with wicked men. How can it be expected that he should be true to his friend, who has been false to his God! He had said in compliment to Ahab, I am as thou art, and now he was indeed taken for him. Those that associate with evil-doers are in danger of sharing in their plagues. By Jehoshaphat’s deliverance, God let him know, that though he was displeased with him, yet he had not deserted him. God is a friend that will not fail us when other friends do. Let no man think to hide himself from God’s judgment. God directed the arrow to hit Ahab; those cannot escape with life, whom God has doomed to death.
The man who randomly shot the arrow that killed Ahab did not knowingly aim at the crack in Ahab’s armor. God directed his action and guided the fatal missile to its mark. No matter what Ahab did, nor how much he schemed, God was in control—and God’s judgment on Ahab was sure. Ahab’s disguise could not fool God.
- Who are your friends?
- Heavenly Father, guide my steps to the right associations that I may not sin against you, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Exodus 11:1-10, Mark 5:21-34; 2 Thessalonians 3: 1-18
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ESOCS Devotional 22 March 2023
