Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God, for he removed the altars of the foreign gods and the high places, and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandment. He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was quiet under him. And he built fortified cities in Judah, for the land had rest; he had no war in those years, because the Lord had given him rest. And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly, therefore from now on you shall have wars.”
Memory Verse: For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. II chronicles 16:9.
How do you know a new believer? quiet simple right, when an individual gives their life to Christ genuinely what we see in the first instance is the excitement of being born into Gods family. Such individual immediately starts to make intentional decisions about their life, what the wear in terms of appearance, what they do, the people they hang around with, what they watch, the choice of language and the rest alike. At this early stage, new converts want to spend time in the presence of God studying His word and speaking to Him always.
Their newfound love for the things of God means without being told, friends and families will notice the difference in their lifestyle almost immediately because there is the transformation that is difficult to ignore but for some all that excitement only lasts a short while, fades off and regression back to old ways kicks in.
That’s the story of the life of King Asa of Judah. Asa was the Son on Abijah, Abijah was the son of Rehoboam , Rehoboam the son of Solomon and Solomon the Son of David. So King Asa was the great grandson of Kind David who had a special covenant with the Lord and just like His grandfather King Solomon, King Asa enjoyed rest while ruling as king because his father had fought and conquered but most importantly; He did what was right in the eyes of God.
This was the beginning of his reign as a king so when the enemy from Zerah the Cushite came against them in war, King Asa went to the only one he knew could save Him:
” And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” 2 Chronicles 14:11. That battle was won because the Lord fought for and Judah but in the thirty-sixth year of King Asa’s reign as King, things had changed and when faced with a battled again, the king found a way to sort out a treaty between himself and those he though could support him in wining that battle. Where was God this time?
How many times are we like King Asa? Initially depending on God but suddenly living our lives as if we have it all figured out. We start with God and lose focus somewhere in life’s journey and just because the world has found its root once again in our lives, we begin to run Helter-Skelter trying to utilize earthly help. It’s as if we suddenly forget that God’s wisdom, power and strength is needed; we act like it is not!
We forget the reassurance that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” but begin to say, ” I have this covered; I know someone who can help me sort this” and in all we take God out of the picture.
When we decide to take God out of the picture and rely on our skills, knowledge and depend on man, we are setting out lives up for failure. Man may come through now, but we eventually become indebted to them. This we see these happening all over the world as Christians are becoming men pleasers because of what they intend to gain.
God’s position should never have to change, He should always be the centre of our focus and only then will he show Himself strong in our lives.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank You for being there for me always, guiding and being available
- Thank You for loving me and always instructing me
- Help me to live my life daily walking with you and relying on you totally
- Teach me Lord not to be men pleaser but to seek you diligently and trust in you
- Bless my labour with your favour, guide me always Lord and let me never rely on my own understanding.
- Bring me to the understanding to see you for direction always and not be self-reliant
- Help me to be kind and generous to others, fulfilling your commandment of love
- Forgive my sins Lord and answer my prayers, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
