Read 2 Chronicles 14:1-15
Asa is the first of the reforming kings in Chronicles. Even though the kings before him may have listened to the LORD, they must have looked the other way when it came to all the false gods and pagan practices that had been infiltrating the land. From the sounds of it, Asa led the charge of a great cleansing.
The land was at peace when the people were following God. I’m sure there is no “accident” or “coincidence” there. What would our world look like if everyone was a true follower of God? The renewed peace we see here is a direct result of the restored faith.
In addition to doing away with all the trapping of false worship, Asa decreed the people to seek God. You may recall, Asa’s great-great grandfather, King David was the first to initiate this practice. The LORD was with Asa.
Not only does Asa stand out for his faithfulness, he was also a gifted warrior in his own right. His whole reign was not peace-filled, and his faith was tested when the Ethiopians came to attack. I can’t imagine troops totaling one million men, but that’s how it’s recorded. The Chronicler wants us to understand the threat was enormous.
That’s when God can shine through. When we face what seem to be unsurmountable challenges, we can do what Asa did. He called on God. Asa was confident the LORD would respond. We can have that confidence, too! Sure, Asa had wisely built up his defenses during the time of peace, but even he knew that without God their own efforts would not win the battle.
I love Asa’s prayer here. “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” We can “borrow” this prayer in our own time of need when we need help knowing what to pray. Simply plug in your own issue after acknowledging you are powerless and need God. It is always good practice to call on the powerful name of the LORD to help us.
Let’s pray. LORD you are my mighty warrior, and I thank you for fighting my battles. Help me surrender those problems to you before they overtake me and consume my thoughts. It’s in those moments I am distracted from you, and I don’t like it. May I be more like Asa and approach you boldly and confidently as I ask for your help. Continue to guard my heart from the evil one’s attacks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
