Finish well!
King Asa of Judah was one of the later kings in the history of Israel. Asa's reign began with significant religious reforms. He is praised for doing "what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God" (2 Chronicles 14:2). Asa removed foreign altars, smashed sacred stones, and cut down Asherah poles. He also commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord and obey His laws and commands. Asa fortified the cities of Judah, and God granted him peace for the first ten years of his reign. He succeeded where others had failed because he put his trust in God. Unfortunately he did not continue as he started.| 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. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into 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.' (2Chronicles16:7-9) |
In the Hebrew idiom the heart is the control centre of life. King Asa failed, not because of a poor military alliance but because he did not trust God.
God is looking for people whose control centres are fully committed to Him - people who choose to live for Him, to speak for Him, and to devote themselves to Him. This needs to be a full commitment.
When God finds people who will step out in faith and do this - He strengthens them. We don't have to manage on our own!
King Asa started well. Sadly he didn't keep his rhythm.
