How can we apply Asa's reliance on God in our daily challenges? \Setting the Scene in 2 Chronicles 14:7\ “ ‘Let us rebuild these towns and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.’ So they built and prospered.” • Israel’s king Asa looks beyond military strategy. • He openly credits their peace to one thing: “we have sought the LORD our God.” • Rest and prosperity follow a deliberate choice to rely on God first. \Core Principle: Seeking the Lord First\ • Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…He will make your paths straight.” • Matthew 6:33 — “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” • Asa’s pattern: seek → rest → build. The order matters. \Everyday Ways to “Seek Him”\ 1. Begin each decision with Scripture: • Psalm 119:105 — His word lights the path before any step is taken. 2. Speak dependence out loud: • Psalm 50:15 — “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.” 3. Invite accountability: • Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 — two are better than one; shared pursuit of God steadies reliance. 4. Schedule margin for worship: • Isaiah 30:15 — “In quietness and trust shall be your strength.” 5. Celebrate answered prayer: • 1 Samuel 7:12 — Ebenezer stones remind us Who fought our battles. \Building Walls and Towers: Practical Faith Preparations\ Asa fortified cities while trusting God. Reliance is not passivity; it fuels wise, diligent action. • Plan budgets prayerfully (Luke 14:28-30). • Maintain healthy boundaries—relational “walls” that honor holiness (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). • Sharpen skills and stewardship; excellence reflects reliance on the Giver (Colossians 3:23-24). \Rest on Every Side: Experiencing God’s Peace in Pressure\ • Philippians 4:6-7 — prayer + thanksgiving = guarded hearts and minds. • Isaiah 26:3 — steadfast mind = perfect peace. • When anxiety rises, return to the “because” of Asa’s statement: “because we have sought the LORD.” The cause remains constant even when circumstances change. \Guarding Against Drift: Lessons from Asa’s Later Years\ • 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 records Asa turning to human alliances; peace evaporated. • James 4:7-8 — “Submit yourselves therefore to God…Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” • Keep early-season humility alive: – Regular repentance. – Continual gratitude. – Swift obedience. Relying on God today mirrors Asa’s finest hour: seek Him first, act with diligence, and enjoy the rest He faithfully supplies. |
    |