Almost Swept Away

2 Chronicles 18:1 KJV

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

One of Jehoshaphat's first actions as king was to reinforce his position against Israel. Now we find him

• Befriending
• Making an allegiance with
• Marrying his son to the king of Israel's daughter and then
• Going out to war on the side of

Israel. Could it be that Jehoshaphat believed that he had strengthened himself sufficiently that Israel could no longer be a threat? Jehoshaphat could have even argued that he was being a spiritual example to Ahab. He urged him to seek the Lord prior to entering the battle and, when all of the patsy prophets had done their ritual, Jehoshaphat asked for a prophet who was loyal to the God of King David. 

But the error of Jehoshaphat's compromise became quickly apparent when, in battle, the enemy mistook him for Ahab. Though he was spared and returned home in peace, his son was not so spared. His wife, the daughter of Ahab, was a curse to Judah and to he and his children. 

We are inclined to believe, when we are strong, that we are capable of withstanding the temptations and troubles of compromise. The truth is, we are never strong enough to safely wade in the waters of worldliness. Any attempt to play in them will almost certainly result in our being swept away in the current.

The wise Christian strengthens himself against sin but always sees himself as weak and in need of the strength of God.