I am in a reading through the Bible program, and I just finished reading the story of King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14-16. Asa was a good king. He removed idols, commanded his people to love and seek God, and made a lot of religious reforms. “Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” ~ 2 Chr. 14:2. Later King Asa and his nation were being surrounded by a huge army, so Asa called out to God. He said “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You.” ~2 Chr. 14:11

There are many times that I feel like King Asa. I feel passionate about helping reform the church. Too many times we fall into really bad habits. For example, instead of asking God to help us, we do things and ask God to bless us. We even go as far as using His word against Him… Instead of asking for God's wisdom, we make decisions on our own. Or sometimes we focus more on having church, instead of being the church!

God did many amazing things in the story of King Asa, but sadly it doesn't end well for him. God tells Asa: “The Lord is With you WHEN you are With Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” ~2 Chr. 15:2. King Asa fared well when he lived for God. The problem happened later in his life. King Asa was about to be attacked by Israel, and instead of calling out God like he did many times before…he called on another king (BenHadad) to help. It was at this point that King Asa blew it. Asa knew what to do. He called out to God so many times, and God ALWAYS came through. Yet Asa seemed to either forget God's faithfulness, or he became lazy in his relationship with God. Either case, Asa messed up. God sent a prophet to confront the king. This prophet said: “Because you relied on the king of Aram (meaning man), and not God, the enemy has escaped. And when you relied on God, He gave you victory…” ~ Chr. 16. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” ~ 2 Chr. 16:9

So what does this all mean to us? King Asa started out really fired up for God, and did really extraordinary things. He compromised-(even removed his own grandma from her position because of her sin). Yet when he turned to his own wisdom and acted on it, he failed. God, in His mercy reached out to Asa through a prophet, but Asa would not listen or accept correction. He flat out refused to admit that he was wrong. If Asa accepted this correction and he humbled himself, then I would be telling you a different story today. Instead of humbling himself, Asa became furious with the prophet, threw him in jail, and took out his anger against his people.

Questions that we need to ask ourselves from this:

1. Who do you turn to when everything is coming against you?
2. Is your first instinct to turn to God?
3. Are you passionate about having church or being the church?
4. How do you respond when God corrects you?
5. How can you keep your relationship with God –Fully Alive?

PS. Book Review: Linda Windsor has many good series of Christian Fiction. I am reading one of hers now called Healer, form the Brides of Alba series. It's a mix of history and fiction, and is very fun to read.

PRay