DCLM Daily Manna 20 July 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Deadly Friendship

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TOPIC: Deadly Friendship (DCLM Daily Manna 20 July 2023)

KEY VERSE: “And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab” (2 Chronicles 22:7).

TEXT: 2 Chronicles 22:1-12 (KJV)

1 And the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah his youngest son king in his stead: for the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

2 Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.

4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.

5 He walked also after their counsel, and went with Jehoram the son of Ahab king of Israel to war against Hazael king of Syria at Ramothgilead: and the Syrians smote Joram.

6 And he returned to be healed in Jezreel because of the wounds which were given him at Ramah, when he fought with Hazael king of Syria. And Azariah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab at Jezreel, because he was sick.

7 And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

8 And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them.

9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, (for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

10 But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

12 And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

There is danger in befriending someone who does not reflect your values in life. Such friendship is risky.

Our text reveals the bitter end of Ahaziah the king of Judah. He met his death when he went to Jezreel to visit Joram the son of Ahab. During the visit, it happened that God, through Jehu, was executing judgment on Joram that same day. Ahaziah was killed in that incident. This friendship dates back to the days of Jehoshaphat, the righteous king of Judah who joined affinity with wicked Ahab and Jezebel that nearly ended his life prematurely. He exposed the royal household of Judah to the idolatrous kings of Israel. The devastation and destruction that came to Judah is incalculable.

A catalogue of disasters happened through this unequal yoke friendship. It brought about unholy marriages between the house of Ahab and the king of Judah. Baal worship and witchcraft was introduced to Judah by Athaliah who eventually killed all the seed royal and took over the reins of governance in Judah until God removed her.

We have heard of incidents where innocent people are arrested or killed unfortunately by law enforcement agents while in company of bad friends. They suffer such a terrible fate because they maintained friendship with those who do not have the same values and principles as them. We should understand that the people we befriend can either make up or bring down our value and standing in society. We need to watch over our children too and teach them how to choose the right friends so they do not suffer the same ill fate as Ahaziah.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Choose your friends carefully.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
2 Chronicles 1-4

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2023 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

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