Don't Stop Relying On God
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.
Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the LORD's temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. "Let there be a treaty between me and you," he said, "as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me."
Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel.
. . . At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. . . . For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people. 2 Chronicles 16:1-10.
Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the LORD's temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. "Let there be a treaty between me and you," he said, "as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me."
Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel.
. . . At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. . . . For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war."
Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people. 2 Chronicles 16:1-10.
There is something rather puzzling about the conduct of humans in our relationship with God: We have a tendency to forget about God when we prosper. We see this clearly captured in what God said to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land: "When you have eaten and are satisfied . . . Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God . . . when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down . . . and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." (Deuteronomy 8:10-14). God knows that prosperity has a way of pulling us away from Him.
King Asa'a early years were the epitome of reliance on God. When the king of Cush attacked the nation, Asa said to God, "We rely on you . . . LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you." God fought victoriously for them. But, after years of fortifying himself; he now felt the need to fight his battles by making treaties and alliances with other kings for the protection of the nation. So when Baasha attacked Judah, Asa secured protection through a political and military alliance with the king of Aram. God was totally displeased and Asa's reign was doomed from that point on.
A few lessons are worth learning:
First: Never stop relying on God. Never get to a point in your journey where you feel so accomplished that you depend on others for guidance and protection to the neglect of your relationship with God. God has the power to see you through your entire journey. He who began this good work in you also has the power to see you through all your future struggles. He is faithful and will never leave nor forsake you.
Second: Always remember that, "The eyes of the LORD range throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." No matter what perils you face, never fail to remain loyal and committed to Jesus. Satan's goal is to so intimidate you that you will doubt God's ability to protect, defend and provide for you by destroying your commitment to God. That is an act of foolishness as Asa sadly discovered.
Finally, walking away from our commitment to God is a sure path to unbelievable acts of ungodliness because of pride and hardened hearts. Asa, the godly king ended up imprisoning the prophet of God and brutally oppressing the people of God. This is a path that any of us can easily travel but for the grace of God. Don't stop relying on God. It is the first step to falling.
King Asa'a early years were the epitome of reliance on God. When the king of Cush attacked the nation, Asa said to God, "We rely on you . . . LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you." God fought victoriously for them. But, after years of fortifying himself; he now felt the need to fight his battles by making treaties and alliances with other kings for the protection of the nation. So when Baasha attacked Judah, Asa secured protection through a political and military alliance with the king of Aram. God was totally displeased and Asa's reign was doomed from that point on.
A few lessons are worth learning:
First: Never stop relying on God. Never get to a point in your journey where you feel so accomplished that you depend on others for guidance and protection to the neglect of your relationship with God. God has the power to see you through your entire journey. He who began this good work in you also has the power to see you through all your future struggles. He is faithful and will never leave nor forsake you.
Second: Always remember that, "The eyes of the LORD range throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." No matter what perils you face, never fail to remain loyal and committed to Jesus. Satan's goal is to so intimidate you that you will doubt God's ability to protect, defend and provide for you by destroying your commitment to God. That is an act of foolishness as Asa sadly discovered.
Finally, walking away from our commitment to God is a sure path to unbelievable acts of ungodliness because of pride and hardened hearts. Asa, the godly king ended up imprisoning the prophet of God and brutally oppressing the people of God. This is a path that any of us can easily travel but for the grace of God. Don't stop relying on God. It is the first step to falling.
Prayer: Lord, please help me to remain totally dependent on you at all times. Amen.