Day 115

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Ethiopian Army that Asa Defeated!

Scripture

April 24—2 Chronicles 13-16: Correction Under Asa

Observation

Rehoboam's son Abijah "was as great a sinner as his father was" (1 Kings 15:3). And yet he was God's instrument of judgment upon an even more wicked king—Jeroboam in the North. In a titanic struggle involving more than a million fighting men, Israel suffers a devastating defeat; over half of her army is destroyed. Abijah's three-year reign is followed by a decade of peace. His son Asa follows in the military (but not the spiritual) footsteps of his father by defeating Ethiopia. But Asa's greatest contribution comes not on the battlefield but in the sanctuary, as he purges the nation of idols and renews the altar of the Lord.

Application

It is difficult to believe that the Asa of chapter 14 and the Asa of chapter 16 are one and the same person or is it?

Early in his reign Asa "was careful to obey the Lord his God" (14:2). He zealously destroyed the altars, high places, images, and groves that were drawing his people away from the Lord. When confronted by a million-member Ethiopian army, he cried out to God, "help us, Lord our God! For we trust in you alone to rescue us, and in your name we attack this vast horde" (14:11).

But later in his reign, Asa made an alliance with the heathen king of Syria and tried to appease him with silver and gold from the house of the Lord. He locked up the prophet of God who rebuked him for his foolish alliance, and died of a foot disease when he "didn't go to the Lord with the problem, but to the doctors" (16:12).

Which part of Asa's reign characterizes your life? Pick one of Asa's godly traits and turn it into your personal project today. God will honor you for it.

Prayer

Oh Lord, it's more rewarding to be in your present rather than not know you and your daily grace. We are so thankful to be able to read your Word and apply it to our life—keeping us grounded. No, we do not want to go back to the way we use to be walking around aimlessly. We got you and we are happy in you. In your son's Jesus name, amen!

Make Peace with God!






© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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