Pam Padgett ... teacher
Asa became king of Judah and did that which was good and right in the
sight of God. We are told some of the things Asa did. As I read these things, it reminded me of what
we, also, are to do.
Asa destroyed the images and altars of strange gods ...
2 Chronicles 14:2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: 3
For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places,
and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: 4 And commanded
Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the
commandment. 5 Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high
places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him.
In our lives we break down those things we've been taught (sometimes even religious doctrines)
that are not according to the word of God, and ways of the world which lead in a way of depending on the wisdom or strength of
men instead of trusting in God. We turn to God, seeking His truth and to
conform our lives ... what we think, say, and do ... to that truth, tearing down from our lives those things that exalt themselves above God and conforming our lives to the will of God.
Romans 12:12 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Asa also built and strengthened cities in Judah ...
2 Chronicles 14:6 And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the
land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had
given him rest. 7 Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these
cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while
the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we
have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built
and prospered. 8 And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and
spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that
bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all
these were mighty men of valour.
We strengthen and build ourselves in the faith as we read the Bible,
meditate on scriptures the Holy Spirit causes to stand out to us, doing
all we are led by the Holy Spirit to do, being established and growing in the way of
God for our life as we take each step we see to take.
Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of
the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat
of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in
his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his
season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper.
When attacked, Asa cried out to God for help and depended on His power to overcome the enemy ...
2 Chronicles 14:9 And there came out against them Zerah the
Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred
chariots; and came unto Mareshah. 10 Then Asa went out against him, and
they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11
And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with
thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help
us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against
this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against
thee. 12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah;
and the Ethiopians fled. 13 And Asa and the people that were with him
pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they
could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD,
and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil. 14 And they
smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came
upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much
spoil in them. 15 They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away
sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.
When we come into trouble or are under attack from the devil, we first submit ourselves to God, depending on
Him to show us what to do and to help us. Then we deal with the problem as
led by the Holy Spirit, standing in the wisdom and strength of God, not
in our own strength or ideas.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.