“King Asa’s Demise”


BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 12-16

                As King Asa takes over the throne in 2 Chronicles 14, the Bible tells us that he “did what was right in the eyes of God” (2 Chronicles 14.2).  Although his rule began on the right track, it didn’t quite end up that way.  2 Chronicles 16 reveals to us that in the last years of his reign, the king turns to the King of Syria for help instead of relying of the LORD.  When Asa is confronted with his error by Hanani the prophet, about his foolish actions, instead of heeding his warnings, he had him placed in chains and put in prison.  However, this wasn’t the first time he had been warned by a prophet of the Lord.  As his rule begins on the right foot by doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord, the prophet Azariah comes to him with a very important message. "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, but when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress. But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded." (2 Chronicles 15:2-7).  This time Asa heeded the word of the prophet and began the religious reform needed in the land of Judah.  Yet, now in the later part of his reign he had departed from the way of the Lord; what changed?   How can a man who started off so well, have ended so poorly?  The answer lies in Azariah’s prophecy “The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you...”.  Asa had ceased to be reliant on God and became more reliant on his own abilities, which ultimately became the cause of his fall.  The lesson to be gained by this story is a very important one. How well you start in your walk with God is important, but not as important as how you finish your walk with God.  As long as we are with God, He is with us!  If we fail to seek His face, we relay a message of selfishness, which will ultimately lead to our demise as well.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Prepare for Happiness”

  DISCUSSION:                                    Just recently we have seen the devastation that can result from hurricanes, earthquakes, and fire. According to the show on National Geographic channel “Doomsday Preppers” there are a lot of people over the country stocking up on supplies in the hope of being able to survive (months) a natural disaster or power grid failure. Many agree with this philosophy. Who could argue that it is a smart idea to be prepared? As a provider we should take reasonable measures to have our family prepared for hard times both mentally and physically. In this life, Christians have something more precious to protect than material things. Preparing our souls for eternity is much more important. We have been promised a gift that nothing can compare to, a home not made with hands (2Corinthians 5:1). So even if disasters come our way, we can be sure God will take care of His children. As a Christian we have a peace of mind from our faith in God’s word and beli
Read more