Then Asa called to the Lord his God, and said, "Lord, there is no one besides Thee to help between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in Thee, and in Thy name have come against the multitude. O Lord, Thou are our God; let not many prevail against Thee." (verse 11).
Message: King Asa of Judah
Time: 2 Chronicles, like 1 Chronicles has a mystery writer and was separated into 2 books in 200 BC when the Septuagint was translated. This book focuses on Judah from 971-586 BC. The chronicler focused on the blessings God bestowed when leaders were faithful to His law. It covers Solomon's ascension to the throne to Judah finally carried into exile in Babylon.
What the Lord is Saying: After Abijah dies, "his son Asa became king in his place." Asa was the third king of the Kingdom of Judah and the son of Abijah. He "did good deeds in the sight of the Lord." "He removed the foreign altars and high places...commanded Judah to seek the Lord God." He took away all opportunity to worship foreign altars and high places. He removed them. This passage is specific to Judah. I Kings 15:14 says, "The high places were not taken away." It is possible there is a contradicton here though it seems 2 Chronicles is more localized to Judah while I Kings 15 is speaking more of hiss entire reign.
Often we hope people will make the right choice and not choose that which is unlawful. But, it is better to simply remove the choice before them. It is better to simply take away the potential rather than allowing it to remain in their midst. This is what Asa did. It makes me think of raising the kids and at times taking away the opportunity to sin with media by instilling in us wholesome entertainment and options for entertainment and music that is wholesome. This seems appropriate at times. Even in regards to food and many other choices of our day. Make the temptation to pursue something difficult. It can be hard in this day and age because there is so much that easily obtained and is easily accessible.
There were no wars with him during his time. He had a big army, all valiant warriors.
Then "Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them...and they drew up in battle." In verse 11, King Asa calls on the name of the Lord and states his trust in Him. These words could equate to King Asa's statement of faith - "We trust in Thee." There is no acknowledgment of sin, but a statement of trusting in God and putting His hope in the Lord. And in response to this statement, the writer remarks that "The Lord routed the Ethiopians." By trusting in the Lord, the people achieved the conquering of the Ethiopians, they fled, and pursued them. They destroyed all those "cities around Gerar."
In I Kings 15:10 it says that Asa "reigned forty-one years." It seems key that the main focus of Asa and his life "The heart of Asa was wholly devoted to the Lord all his days."
Summary: King Asa was one of the good kings following Solomon, of the Southern Kingdom. His life was wholly devoted to the Lord.
Promise: Be consistently obedience in life or from this point on.
Prayer: God, may you have me to be one that stands for good and doesn't permit evil to be present. Help me to remove altars to foreign Gods in the ways you have asked me. Lord, I want to be faithful to You always. I want to lean on your truths. Lord, help me to guard against self-reliance. I need to care for myself and properly take care of myself. I pray this for my children as well, especially for my youngest on right now and the challenges he is having in his life. First, help him to see the value of himself and the good things he is doing. Lord, I can be very critical of myself and tough on myself, but there is rejoicing to be done. Help him in these days when he is trying to sow a better seed for his life and place himself in a good place to be successful in life. Give him wisdom. Draw goodness to him. Let him seek You. Draw him to yourself. May he be one that is devoted to You and removes from his life the things that are foreign and against You.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
