Day: November 3, 2012

Campaign Against Ramoth-Gilead

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Vance Havner 90x115by Vance Havner

Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? 2 Chronicles 19:2

Jehoshaphat was a good man, but he allowed himself to be persuaded by Ahab to join him in an expedition against Ramoth-Gilead. They called in the prophets after the decision already had been made in order to get their blessing, just as we often make our plans and then ask God to bless them instead of asking God for a plan. All the sycophant prophets concurred, except Micaiah, who told them the truth and was put in prison and fed the bread and water of affliction. The expedition resulted in Ahab’s death. Then Jehu reproved Jehoshaphat with the words of our text.

God never wants His people to team up with the ungodly in their ventures. We have a different program and there is no concord between Christ and Belial. Ahab is always going up against some Ramoth-Gilead, and all it takes, as in this case, is a big supper to line up unwise Jehoshaphat’s. Better a Micaiah on bread and water than a Jehoshaphat at a banquet, when a Ramoth-Gilead campaign is brewing.

by Vance Havner

Our Heavenly Friend

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A.B. Simpson 90 x115by A.B. Simpson

This is my beloved, and this is my friend—Song of Solomon 5:16

God is our friend. Which of you shall have a friend, . . . at midnight? asked Jesus (Luke 11:5). This concept of God as our friend has deep significance for each one of us. Who has not had a friend, who in some respects was more of a friend than anyone in the family? Reflect upon that friendship. Recall each act of love. Think of all you could trust that friend to do for you and all the ways in which he or she stood by you. Then as you concentrate the whole weight of recollection and affection, put God in that place of confidence and realize He is all that friend has been and infinitely more.

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