“He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the LORD had given him rest.” 2 Chronicles 14:6 Asa has now become king of Judah. He did what was right and “he removed the foreign altars and high places, tore down the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherim, and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment. He also removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. And the kingdom was undisturbed under him” (vs.3-5). Asa set the example and made it a priority to serve the Lord. I love this example of godly leadership. Notice the end result: “the kingdom was undisturbed under him.” There was peace from Israels enemies as a result of making peace with God. Asa was also a pioneer and forward thinking. “For he said to Judah, ‘Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.’ So they built and prospered. He built fortified cities in Judah, since the land was undisturbed, and there was no one at war with him during those years, because the LORD had given him rest” (vs. 7-8). Asa used the time of peace to strengthen Israel and her defenses. I have noticed in my own life, and walk with God, that when I make a decision to put God first in all that I do, life becomes sweeter and God is revealing Himself to me and Im growing more. These are the times that our prayer life can be used to strengthen us and to saturate ourselves in the Word of God. Our willpower against sin and our faith is strengthened. Asa did this and he set the example. He tore down the idols and made God a priority in the lives of the people. Inevitably, there will be an attack from Satan and this is what happened in 2 Chronicles 14. “Now Asa had an army of 300,000 from Judah, bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin, bearing shields and wielding bows; all of them were valiant warriors. Now Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and he came to Mareshah” (vs.8,9). Asa had no choice, but to take a stand. Often, we are faced with the same situation, whether it’s a personal struggle or an external one. Paul exhorts us to put on the armor of God and simply stand. Calling on God in prayer is powerful. Notice what Asa did. “Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, ‘LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.’ So the LORD routed the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled” (vs. 11,12). God fought for His people, because His people called on His name. Following God and putting Him first involves a great sacrifice. Jesus said that we must take up our cross and follow Him. Taking up our cross involves dying to ourselves, but in turn, it means that God is Lord of our lives. This necessarily invites spiritual warfare, but when God is Lord of our lives, we will instinctively rely on Him because we realize our own inadequacies. God loves fighting for His people and making Himself known so that others may also know Him. The result is that we are strengthened in our faith, others are ministered to, and God has shown Himself as faithful and true. The first step is putting God first. What is your priority in life, who takes the first place, you or God? Be blessed for He is God!
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 19:11:23 +0000
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