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June 26th

The bible reading for today is in 1 Kings 15:25-16:34 and 2 Chronicles 17.

Asa, the great-grandson of Solomon, was king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the days of the divided kingdom. He ruled 41 years and was known for being used of God in bringing spiritual revival to Judah.

Asa’s father, Abijam, had a divided heart toward God. He trusted God sometimes and trusted himself most of the time. Because he refused to eliminate the high places of worship of foreign gods, he laid a spiritual stumbling block before the people he was to lead. He died. Then Asa his son took the throne of Judah.

“The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭15:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This is how Asa began his leadership in Judah, seeking the Lord about everything. I am reminded of other verses concerning seeking the Lord...

Deut. 4:29 “You will find Him if you will seek Him with all of your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart.”

The idea is that when God’s treasured ones draw near to Him, He draws near and reveals Himself to us. Seeking the Lord, seeking His will, and His ways in life, is good and worthy of our following such an example.

One day an Ethiopian army of a million soldiers marched upon Asa and his army of 500,000 men defending Jerusalem. It looked bad for Asa, .but he believed God’s promise to provide and God brought victory in a big way. Then toward the end of his reign in Judah, Baasha, king of Israel’s ten tribes, attacked Jerusalem and laid siege to the city.

Asa’s faith in God’s promises faded. And he sent a golden request to Syria for an alliance for military aid. Syria gave the immediate advantage to Asa and Israel’s army retreated. But at the same time, Syrian soldiers took over store cities in Judah and Israel, stealing grain and gold and military equipment.

Then the Judean prophet Hanani delivered a powerful message to Asa...“At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, "Because you relied on the king of Syria, and did not rely on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped you. Were not the Ethiopians and the Libyans a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, he gave them into your hand.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:7-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wow, what a promise for all who believe the Lord...for all whose hearts are completely His.

Have a great day.