“As children of the Most High, it is imperative that we take note of the kind of friends we have in our lives. Of course, it’s impossible to say that you’ll never interact with unbelievers or have some sort of acquaintance with them; you’ll meet people in school or at work who are not Christians, and you can’t avoid them. But when it comes to your inner circle, the ones you are very close to, it’s important to have a bond with people who love the Lord and are devoted to fulfilling His purpose for their lives. Is that understood?”

It was Monday morning, and the Mensah-Jones family was seated around the living room for morning devotion as always. A few songs of praise and worship had been sung, communion had been taken, and now it was time to hear the word of God. Once they were done, he’d then anoint everyone with oil, then once everyone was set, proceed to drop the children off at school before dropping off Sika at her office, then heading to the church.

Everyone nodded solemnly. Every word that came out of David’s mouth during these periods of devotion was not taken lightly; Sika and the children treated them as though they were sermons he preached in church.

“Good. You see, the kind of friends you keep close to you can either help push you closer to God or lead you astray to your destruction. If you choose the wrong kind of friends, it will cost you dearly. If you truly desire to grow in your walk with God, you need to draw closer to people who are on fire for Him, and keep them close.

“So, this week, that’s our prayer point as a family. Kids, throughout the week, let this be your prayer topic: that the Lord will help you to identify the right friends. Friends that will always remind you to love God and do the right thing. Amen?”

“Amen!”

“Great. Sika, please pray to end this devotion. And please let me have the olive oil…”

***

Fifteen minutes later, the couple were in the room, with David helping his wife put on her dress while she stood in front of the dressing mirror. As usual, he was having issues with her zip. An issue he had been whining about for a long time.

“So when kraa will Charity start using bigger zips? Eh?” he grumbled as he zipped up her dress. “Every day, small small zips.”

Sika sighed and shook her head. “I’ve told her so many times to get the bigger ones, yet she’ll always complain that they’ll spoil the style of the dress.”

“Please, please, tell her she needs to get them. She should think about my mental health small, na this stress…”

Sika laughed while he finished up. “Mental health has come in? ei, Davidi!”

David wrapped his arms around her and hugged her from behind, grinning at the special pet name she had for him. As they stared at each other through the mirror, Sika stared at him directly.

“Honey, you’re sure everything is okay, right?”

David looked back at her. “What?”

“From yesterday. That man you said came to try and bribe you. You’re sure everything is good?”

David sighed.

The amount of willpower required to keep him from barging into the house and keeping a straight face throughout the movie period was superhuman, but he managed to get it done. Before the kids, he dismissed Roger as some ‘annoying man who just wanted to talk plenty’. In the room, though, he told Sika everything that happened.

As one would expect, she was every bit as disgusted as David was. The effrontery of this man to believe that he could pay her husband off to stop speaking about their wrongdoing was as disrespectful as could be, and she applauded him for driving the man out.

“Don’t worry, Sika. Everything is fine. I’m not moved at all by his talk. Whatever the case is, I’m not taking his offer. Ah, this man paaa! You think I’ll exchange my anointing and my calling to become a millionaire? Eii! It’s not because of money that I’m going to suddenly throw my scruples away and become a pariah to everyone! God forbid!”

“That’s all. We don’t need his money for anything. We’d rather starve than accept a dime from him. Such nonsense! He just wants to put a muzzle on you. We all know once you take that money, you’re bound to him, and you’ll have to keep quiet.”

“Oh, of course. That’s the obvious aim. But forget it. He can bring all the money in Ghana to my doorstep if he likes, I will not be moved… ei, a few minutes to seven ooo. Let’s get moving…”

***

… addressing the nation in a nationally televised press conference at the Jubilee House, the President expressed his unwavering support for Callis Baiden. He emphasized that the allegations were baseless and part of a politically motivated smear campaign to discredit the government and its efforts to advance the country’s development.

He further proclaimed that Callis Baiden as an integral part of his administration has shown exemplary dedication to public service, and that he stands firmly behind Callis and believes in his innocence. He further urged the public and media to allow the relevant authorities to conduct a fair and unbiased investigation into the matter…

David shook his head in disgust, listening to the latest news report on the radio as he drove away from Sika’s office, having just dropped her off. This government just continues to embarrass us more and more by the day.

One of the Cabinet members had been named in a recent expose that had brought to light suspicious financial transactions and irregularities in the awarding of government contracts. As expected, the allegations had sparked public outrage and demands for accountability from the government.

And what did they get? A fierce defense from the man who had once proclaimed he would not tolerate any form of corruption in his government and that he’d crack the whip at the slightest hint of such suspicions. Six years in, and literally every appointee of his that had been accused of shady underhanded deals got a passionate defense from him even before investigations began or were completed.

It really was disappointing to many to see this president behave so contrary to what he swore he would be.

“In your humility, God showed you favour. But now you’ve become hard of heart and giving a thumbs up to evil around you,” David murmured to himself, shaking his head as he drove on. “Hmmm, Mr. President, be careful ooo. God is watching you, and He’s not pleased at all…”

A squeaking sound caught his ears, and his soliloquy stopped. He threw his head back and groaned. “Ahhhhh, not again!”

The underbody of David’s BMW 330i had been giving him problems for quite a while now. From suspension issues to faulty brakes, his car had been going through it. And by the sounds of it, another problem was popping up.

“Seriously, what kraa is it with this car? Wasn’t it just about a month ago that Kyei replaced the serpentine belt?” David grumbled. Shaking his head once more, he sighed. “Chale. I might have to replace the car sooner than later. Hmmm, the problem is, where am I getting the money for a new one? With the way those silly exorbitant duties are charged at the port di33, it’ll be tough. And the auto guys I know too, they’ve all increased prices. Hmm. Jireh, You are my Provider oo. Please, help me…”

As he continued to drive on, a small, sly voice out of nowhere whispered…

What about Roger’s offer, though? That would really help you…

David’s eyes narrowed.

“Satan, get behind me in the name of Jesus!” he snarled. “You will not come and lure me with that foolishness. Never! I rebuke your words in the name of Jesus!”

Silence followed.

“Hmph. Typical of the devil,” he muttered. “Always wants to take advantage of these matters. No sir, you’re not getting that space with me. No sir! Anyways, I guess I’ll have to call Kyei and ask him to come and check on the car again…”

He might have quenched those fiery darts, but they certainly weren’t over.

David managed to get to his office and do all he needed to do for the day. But throughout, wave after wave of whispers came up in his ears…

… trying to convince him to take up the offer.

Are you sure you don’t want it? You need the money ooo…

David, things are tough already. At least you’ll be comfortable in life if you take it…

David, imagine all you can do for Sika and the kids. Don’t be proud, man, don’t be proud…

Hmmm, the devil comes after those who take a stand for righteousness. No surprise he’s getting these missiles. Can he hold on to his convictions?