WHO IS YOUR ASSOCIATE?

Dearly Beloved, WHO IS YOUR ASSOCIATE? "Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’" (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV). "Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, ‘Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made.’ The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade" (2 Chronicles 20:37 NIV). King Jehoshaphat of Judah was one of the good kings that did well in following the ways of the Lord. The writers of the Scriptures wrote good things about him and his reign. God in turn blessed him by being with him and making him prospered (see 2 Chronicles 17:1-5). He had successes in all his military endeavors (verse 10; 2 Chronicles 20). Because of the peace that God granted him, he built many forts and store cities in Judah, apart from the experienced fighting men that he had (see 2 Chronicles 17:12-19). However, he associated himself with wicked kings, Kings Ahab and Ahaziah of Israel (see 2 Chronicles 18:1; 20:35). This made him to have marriage alliance with them. He joined them in battle, and tried to make trade with them. Each of these alliances had adverse effects on Jehoshaphat. He was nearly killed in the battle (2 Chronicles 18); the partnership with Ahaziah failed woefully (2 Chronicles 20:37); and the marriage alliance renewed idolatry and wickedness in Judah. In fact, Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab who married the son of Jehoshaphat, later nearly wiped away all the royal lineage of Jehoshaphat. She committed great atrocities in the land before God intervened (see 2 Chronicles 22:10—23:15). What a great consequence of bad company! Many people today have been causing bad effects on themselves because of the people with whom they associate themselves. Most of such people are good people, but their associates are not. Some of such people have even become corrupted because of their associates. Since they cannot beat them in most cases, they join them in their corrupt practices. Besides, how can God bless such partnerships? God categorically told Jehoshaphat He would destroy such partnership, and He did! (2 Chronicles 20:37). He had earlier warned him, but he did not yield to the warning (see 2 Chronicles 19:2). Who are your associates? With whom do you work in partnership? Will your partnership with such people incur the blessings of God, or His wrath and destruction? Associate with godly people so that you will be more successful in all your undertakings. In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).