What can we learn about faith from Asa's actions in 1 Kings 15:18? Scriptural Snapshot “Then Asa took all the silver and gold left in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he entrusted it to his servants. Then King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus, saying,” (1 Kings 15:18) What Happened • Asa emptied both the Temple and royal treasuries. • He purchased protection from Ben-hadad instead of seeking the LORD. • The act succeeded politically (vv. 19-22) but exposed a deeper spiritual problem (see 2 Chron 16:7-9). Lessons About Faith • Faith misdirected is faith misplaced. Trust in human power cannot substitute for trust in God (Psalm 20:7; Isaiah 31:1). • Sacred resources are meant for worship, not worldly bargaining. Removing them for political leverage reveals compromised priorities (Malachi 3:8-10). • Past victories do not guarantee present faithfulness. Asa once cried, “LORD, there is no one besides You to help” (2 Chron 14:11), yet later leaned on Aram. Ongoing reliance matters (Hebrews 11:6). • Fear can override remembered deliverances. When opposition rises, the heart must re-anchor in God’s proven character (Jeremiah 17:7-8; Proverbs 3:5-6). • God sees reliance as a heart issue. “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped your hand” (2 Chron 16:7). Partial obedience still invites correction (1 Samuel 13:11-14). Supporting Scriptures • 2 Chronicles 16:9 — “For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him.” • Psalm 33:16-18 — “No king is saved by the size of his army… but the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him.” • Hebrews 11:1 — “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.” Putting It into Practice • Guard your devotion by reserving your best assets—time, talent, treasure—for the Lord’s purposes first. • In crisis, rehearse God’s previous interventions before forming human alliances. • Measure every strategic move by the question: does it deepen or divert my dependence on God? • Regularly invite Scripture to expose subtle shifts from God-reliance to self-reliance, and course-correct immediately. |
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