This life can be a struggle. (Part 1)

While the tribes in the south are doing well, and even getting better, the tribes in the north seem to be going from bad to worse.

Ahaziah son of Ahab began to rule over Israel in the seventeenth year of King Jehoshaphat's reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria two years. But he did what was evil in the LORD's sight, following the example of his father and mother and the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel to sin. He served Baal and worshiped him, provoking the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, just as his father had done. (1 Kings 22:51-53 NLT)

I’m not sure why, but I kept stumbling over this next king’s name.  Finally, I saw the word “Aha” in his name and it got easier.  Ahaziah (Ah-ha-zee-uh) took over as king and immediately began leading the people of Israel (the north) to rebel more and more against the LORD.  This will not bode well for Israel.  This will not bode well for Ahaziah, either.

After King Ahab's death, the land of Moab rebelled against Israel. One day Israel's new king, Ahaziah, fell through the latticework of an upper room at his palace in Samaria and was seriously injured. (2 Kings 1:1-2a NLT)

This life can be a struggle.  Sometimes those struggles are brought about by our parents, grandparents, or other ancestors.  Sometimes those struggles are brought about by the leaders of our city, state, or nation.  Other times, though, those struggles are ones that we bring up on ourselves.  Regardless of the original source, the solution always available and close at hand: walk together with God.

How about you?  Have you experienced struggles in this life?  Are you working through struggles right now?  Do you know that God never wants you to feel alone in those struggles?  Do you work through your struggles by walking together with God?