Scripture
He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors. The other events of Jehoshaphat’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in the annals of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel. Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships.[f] After these were built at Ezion Geber, 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 20:32-37)
Observation
Although Jehoshaphat, like his father, followed in the ways of the Lord and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, he did not remove the high places, or places of idol worship. He then made an alliance with Ahaziah, who’s ways were wicked, planning and working with. Thus, although Jehoshaphat initially found favor and blessings from the Lord, his lack of removing those things like the high places which were, evil due to idol worship and aligning himself and partnering with the wicked, caused and resulted in losing God’s favor and therefore losing all that he had made.
Application
The lessons here are very clear and simple. Be careful of those you associate, befriend and partner with, as well as allowing those things that are not of the Lord to remain in your life, or a part of your life; less you be influenced in wicked ways. There’s a couple of sayings, “choose your friends wisely,” “lay with dogs, get up with fleas.” Basically, be careful of being influenced by things and people that are far from God, less you be influenced away from God and lose your blessing(s). Negative, worldly and wicked influences can creep into our lives be it so subtle, where our conscience and guard can be dropped and therefore not filter what needs to be filtered. By then, the shipwrecks around us may be unpreventable.
Prayer
Dear Lord, may I continue to seek your ways and will in my life, and not let those things of wicked or worldly influence, as well as people, cause me to take my eyes off of you and stumble into the ways of the world. May I keep my house clean and my eyes fixed on you!
