Today in the Word Devotional

The Failure of Fear


Listen Later

Elite professional athletes always face the difficult decision of when to retire. Should they leave at the top of their game? Or should they eke out as many years of playing time as possible? Should they remain loyal to their current coach or team, or see if they can find success with a new program? Fans often feel torn between wanting to enjoy their sporting hero’s exploits as long as possible and the painful realization, “He should have quit long ago.” King Asa had been blessed with decades of spiritual success. But after 35 years of serving the Lord, Asa made a fateful error in judgment. When the king of Israel set up a blockade around Judah, Asa appealed to the king of Aram for help (vv. 1–6). The core problem was not the political alliance but that Asa had neglected to seek spiritual guidance first (vv. 7–9). Sadly, when confronted with his sin, Asa reacted in anger and defensiveness. He imprisoned the prophet. He lashed out at his own people (v. 10). Even after he became ill, he stubbornly refused to turn to the Lord. We cringe when reading about Asa’s disregard for God at the end of his reign. We can make the same mistake as King Asa. Rather than trusting the Lord with as much confidence and humility as we did at the beginning of our spiritual walk, we grow first complacent, then indifferent, and then embittered. Like Asa, we turn on the people around us in harshness and harm rather than in love and grace. We must always remember that it is God who shields and defends us regardless of our age, health, or creative ideas. Our confidence must always be in Him.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Today in the Word DevotionalBy Today In The Word

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

65 ratings


More shows like Today in the Word Devotional

View all
Insight for Living Daily Broadcast by Chuck Swindoll - Insight for Living

Insight for Living Daily Broadcast

3,084 Listeners

FamilyLife Today® by FamilyLife Podcast Network

FamilyLife Today®

1,702 Listeners

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly by Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

4,737 Listeners

Breakpoint by Colson Center

Breakpoint

3,017 Listeners

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life by Tim Keller

Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life

15,804 Listeners

In the Market with Janet Parshall by Moody Radio

In the Market with Janet Parshall

1,360 Listeners

The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

The Briefing with Albert Mohler

8,387 Listeners

The Land and the Book by Moody Radio

The Land and the Book

289 Listeners

Ask Pastor John by Desiring God

Ask Pastor John

3,905 Listeners

Summit Life with J.D. Greear by J.D. Greear Ministries

Summit Life with J.D. Greear

1,290 Listeners

Pray the Word with David Platt by David Platt

Pray the Word with David Platt

1,392 Listeners

Solid Joys Daily Devotional by Desiring God

Solid Joys Daily Devotional

2,137 Listeners

Core Christianity by Adriel Sanchez

Core Christianity

560 Listeners

The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

The Bible Recap

35,229 Listeners

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women by Crossway

Daily Joy: A 365-Day Devotional for Women

74 Listeners