Topical Bible: Confidence: Asa

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Topical Encyclopedia

Asa, the third king of Judah, is a notable biblical figure whose reign is marked by a profound demonstration of confidence in God. His account is primarily found in 1 Kings 15:9-24 and 2 Chronicles 14-16. Asa's reign, which lasted 41 years, is characterized by religious reforms and military victories that underscore his reliance on divine guidance and strength.

Religious Reforms and Confidence in God

Asa's confidence in God is first evident in his commitment to religious reforms. Upon ascending to the throne, Asa took decisive actions to rid Judah of idolatry. He removed foreign altars and high places, shattered sacred pillars, and cut down Asherah poles (2 Chronicles 14:3). Asa commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments (2 Chronicles 14:4). His actions reflect a deep trust in God's covenant and a desire to lead his people back to faithful worship.

Military Victories and Divine Dependence

Asa's confidence in God is further illustrated during his military encounters. One of the most significant events was the invasion by Zerah the Cushite, who came against Judah with a vast army. In response, Asa called upon the LORD, saying, "LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; do not let a mere mortal prevail against You" (2 Chronicles 14:11). This prayer highlights Asa's reliance on God's power rather than his own military might. The LORD responded by granting Judah a resounding victory, demonstrating that Asa's confidence was well-placed.

Challenges to Asa's Confidence

Despite his early reliance on God, Asa's later years reveal a shift in his confidence. When faced with the threat from Baasha, king of Israel, Asa sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, rather than relying on the LORD (2 Chronicles 16:1-3). This decision marked a departure from his earlier trust in divine intervention. The prophet Hanani rebuked Asa, reminding him of God's past deliverance and stating, "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" (2 Chronicles 16:9). Asa's reliance on human alliances rather than God led to conflict and unrest in his kingdom.

Legacy of Asa's Confidence

Asa's reign serves as a testament to the power of confidence in God. His early years exemplify the blessings that come from trusting in the LORD, while his later years serve as a cautionary tale of the consequences of misplaced confidence. Asa's life encourages believers to maintain unwavering faith in God's providence and to seek His guidance in all circumstances.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 16:7-9
And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him, Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD your God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of your hand.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Asa
... The courage of Asa had as its root confidence in God, and this is shown more fully
in the narrative which appears in the Second Book of Chronicles than in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/asa.htm

Asa's Prayer
... It is better when self-distrust and confidence in God lead to courage, and as Asa
goes on, 'Help us, for we rely on Thee, and in Thy name we go against this ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/asas prayer.htm

National Apostasy
... Had the men of Judah full confidence in God's power to deliver? ... But in time of peace
Asa had not been giving himself to amusement and pleasure; he had been ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

July 27 Evening
... Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help,
whether with ... It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/july 27 evening.htm

Jehoshaphat
... of the Sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took ... With confidence
Jehoshaphat could say to the Lord, "Our eyes are upon thee." For years ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 15 jehoshaphat.htm

The Kingdom of Judah.
... These prophets destroyed confidence in the message of true prophets and brought
about a time when the voice of these ... (2) A revival begun under Asa and made ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiv the kingdom of.htm

The Secret of Effectual Prayer
... Let us meditate on our Lord's words, in the confidence that He will teach us how ...
Of Judah in the days of Asa it is written, "They sought Him with their whole ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter ix the secret of.htm

The First Delegated General Conference of 1812
... Cooper, John McClaskey, Stephen G. Roszel, Thomas F. Sargent, Asa Smith, Richard ...
To deserve the confidence of the local ministry and membership, as well as to ...
/.../chapter 1 the first delegated.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... worst enemy of his people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence
in their ... in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
... to all now who follow their faith in Covenanting, to use in confidence the patriarch's ...
acceptance of Israel Covenanting with him in the reign of Asa were, that ...
/.../the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xii covenanting performed in.htm