2nd Chronicles chapter 16. Take EVERYTHING to God in PRAYER!
Before reading this chapter I read the little title at the top of the page and it says “Asa's last year's”. I was kind of excited about it because I have admired King Asa's faith in the previous chapters. He's been a man and leader who has sought the Lord regularly. But as I read the chapter it was disheartening. What happened? Israel took possession of a given territory of Judah, so King ASA gives treasures to King of Aram for his help against Israel. Aram's help persuaded Israel to flee. But God sent a man to confront King ASA for trusting a king verses trusting God. In the past King ASA would have turned to God and God had delivered him more than once.
As a result of not seeking God, God sent a man to confront King Asa for putting trust in man and not God. God said he'd be at war for now on with his enemies. King ASA was angry with the man of God and put him in prison, and he brutally oppressed some of the people. Eventually King Asa had a severe disease in his feet and even then he did not seek the Lord but only help from the doctors. He died during his 41st year as king.
How did King ASA go from seeking the Lord with all his heart to not seeking him at all? It's disheartening. Don't get me wrong, I'm guilty of such sin. There are times I get going with life's busyness that I come across a dilemma and I try to take it on myself. So I get the fact such a thing could happen to any of us. But when confronted by the Lord, why didn't he repent? Why didn't he get right with God? There would have been forgiveness. He could have been restored.
God wants to be in control of our lives. He has us in his best interest. So let's trust him. In fact, let's take everything to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6). Let's take our sickness to the Lord, our daily dilemmas, conflicts, relationships, family issues, work issues, marriage issues, everything!! Take all issues to the Lord because he cares for us (Psalm 55:22).
Lord, forgive me when I try and take things in my own hands. I repent and want restored again with you. Thank you!
I also thought that it was disheartening to read about how Asa turned away from relying on God. This isn’t the first time that we read about something like this happening. I thought back to when Abraham lied and said that Sarah was his sister instead of his wife. I also thought of another time when God helped Joshua defeat Jericho, but then we read about Ai. Achan’s sin was the reason for their problems, but in Joshua 7:2-5, we don’t read that they were seeking the Lord’s guidance. They probably thought that they didn’t need God’s help and could handle this one on their own. How many times do I act the same way in a situation by leaning on my own understanding instead of relying completely on God? We could go back to the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve first sinned by eating the forbidden fruit. They made the choice to not trust or obey God. They listened to the lie and suffered the consequences.
I was reminded of one of my favorite Bible passages today. That’s Proverbs 3:5-6.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”