Bumped and Bruised

Yesterday, we learned that Jehoshaphat, the King of Judah, and Ahab, the King of Israel, banded together to attack the country of Ramoth-Gilead, despite knowing that it was dangerous. Because Ahab was full of pride, he refused to heed the words of the prophet Micaiah, who foretold that he would lose his life in the war. When the moment of conflict came, he dressed Jehoshaphat in his clothes to detract attention from himself, and his “friend” nearly died at the hands of the enemy. However, in the heat of the battle, Jehoshaphat cried desperately to the Lord, and he was saved. Because he took a humble stance, God had mercy on him — but Ahab was not as fortunate. As predicted, He was shot down and killed in the thick of the fight. In studying this story, I wonder how many of us have ever, even unknowingly, found ourselves aligned with someone like Ahab? Perhaps we had good intentions, but we ended up along for someone else’s ride and got dragged through the mud. Those of us who can relate to this scenario know that even when we make mistakes, the Lord is merciful. He sees the heart behind our choices, and He is faithful if we cry to Him for deliverance. However, we do best to spare ourselves this pain by learning the importance of choosing our friends wisely. When we associate with people who consistently compromise their character, it won’t be long before we get burned.

My friend, be careful who you align yourself with. You’ve heard it said that bad company corrupts good character, and though it’s important not to shun those who don’t share your convictions, it’s vital not to let them lead you astray. As the Apostle Paul said, “A little bit of yeast works through the whole batch of dough,” and this is why it’s wise not to get too close to people who are haughtily determined to do it their way. Pride always comes before a fall, and if you’re walking beside someone who stumbles by their own arrogance, you might just get pulled down, too.