2 Chronicles 22:4 (NLT) He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Ahab’s family had done. They even became his advisers after the death of his father, and they led him to ruin.

As you read the history of the kings of Israel and Judah (the kingdom had become divided under King Solomon's son, Rehoboam), you will find that the vast majority of those kings did evil and even worshipped demon gods. All of the kings of the northern ten tribes known as Israel were evil. There was not one king that served the Lord. In Judah, there were only eight good, yet quite imperfect kings. The verse above is talking about King Ahaziah, who was King Jehoshaphat's grandson. His father, King Jehoram, was as wicked as ever, beginning his reign by killing all of his brothers and some of the leaders in Judah so that he wouldn't have any competition. Jehoram only lasted eight years before he died of an intestinal disease because of his wickedness. His son, Ahaziah, picked up where his father left off.

This is all so sad to read about, especially given the fact that God had done everything possible for the people of God to succeed. All the king and the people had to do was to remain faithful to God and follow His commandments, which actually were instructions for living the best life possible here on earth. But they couldn't even do that and always drifted to sin, idolatry and rebellion. But what sticks out from this particular story is that the Bible tells us that King Ahab's family, (King Ahab was probably the most wicked king that Judah had), became young King Ahaziah's advisors. What a recipe for disaster! It's almost as if Ahaziah didn't have eyes to see what happens to kings and people who turn away from God and do evil. He takes the very people who have fallen and makes them his advisors. The results were inevitable. He, like them, would fail and come to ruin. Because he had made an alliance with Ahab's son, King Joram, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and was killed along with King Joram.

All of this was because of the advice that King Ahaziah decided to follow. His first mistake was not turning to the Lord His God. His next and fatal mistake was following the advice and counsel of wicked people. So the question is, whose advice do you follow? Who do you align yourself with? What kind of company do you keep? The Word of God warns us that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33) and that light and darkness do not mix (2 Corinthians 6:14). If you know people that are living contrary to the Word of God, even if they say that they are Christians, stay far away from them except to warn them about the way that they are living and whatever you do, don't listen to their advice. Instead, find people who are following the Lord with all of their heart and enjoy their company. Listen to the advice and counsel of godly people that the Lord Jesus puts in your path and in that way, you will ensure safe passage through this sinful world and will be able to lead others in the right path as well. Choose your advisors wisely and above all, love and serve Jesus for a successful journey through this life.

Pastor Joey Vazquez