Would you like to have the favor of God over all you do? Would you like to receive His blessings and experience His mercies day by day?
Asa, the king of Judah, had the wonderful experience of seeing God at work. The story of Asa’s seeking God and calling on all the people of Judah to follow God is a stirring story of faith and blessing (2 Chronicles 15:1-19).
Azariah prophesied the word of the Lord to Asa, telling Asa to seek the Lord. Azariah told the king: “If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:2). In response to those words, Asa led the people in a period of revival and awakening. They removed idols from the land and strengthened the house of the Lord. Then they made a covenant with the Lord to follow and obey Him.
In response, God blessed Asa and gave him peace for twenty years (2 Chronicles 15:19).
That is a wonderful story, but it ended in tragedy. Asa did not wholly follow the Lord. In spite of having seen God’s blessings, in a time of trouble Asa turned away from God and looked to help from human sources. He made a treaty with the Syrians and gave gold and silver from the Lord’s house to the king of Syria.
The actions of Asa prevented the blessings God had given at other times. Hanani the prophet told Asa he would no longer receive God’s favor.
Hanani told Asa that God desires to bless. He looks for faithful people upon whom His favor may rest. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Asa and all his kingdom suffered because He turned from the Lord.
What about you?
2 Chronicles 16:9 gives us two power packed lessons. First, God wants to bless. His eyes range throughout the earth looking to bless faithful people. Second, our lack of faith and submission to God rob us of God’s blessings.
Let us turn to the Lord and seek Him that we may enjoy His presence with us.
If you would like to receive my daily posts, you can subscribe to waylonbailey.com at the top of the page. Simply type in your email address, and click subscribe. It’s free and easy. When you receive a return email, confirm your desire to subscribe by clicking on the link.
Waylonbailey.com is my ministry across the Internet. I would appreciate your subscribing and also forwarding this and other posts to your friends. Thank you!
One Response
2 Chronicles 15 & 16 have great lessons. However, I am not sure how 15:13 would work today. 😉 An overview of the history of God’s relationship with His People has led me perceive that God holds both the people and their leadership accountable. Each may be Blessed or cursed because of the other. Romans 12 for me picks up on this idea by reminding us who He is, how we have Relationship with Him and that unless we realize the relationship intended in His Design for the Body/Bride of Christ, we will miss the mark.
On a current practical side it astounds me how many “Christians” partake in evil in the name of God. That is, however, if fact check facts may be believed: http://factcheck.org/hot-topics/
Politics is an interesting study. One definition “politics” that has stuck with me is: a gathering of power. That of course brings me back to Scripture and the precision with which Paul expressed Purpose, Borders, Methods, Design and Challenges with an Expectant outcome.
May we depend on God for our healing as we seek Him in one another. 2 Chronicles 16:12. And may we realize our sepulcher is found in His Kingdom, together. Romans 12: 19; 2 Timothy 1:7; John 15:5, 10 – 15.
Thanks & Blessings!