By Roy E. Ciampa, Ph.D.,
S. Louis and Ann W. Armstrong Professor of Religion, Samford University
Pursue Godliness
2 Chronicles 14:1–8
While the books of 1 and 2 Kings explain how it is that Israel and Judah found themselves in exile despite being God’s chosen people (it is due to their stubborn disobedience and unfaithfulness to God and His covenant), the books of 1 and 2 Chronicles were written to give hope to the nation once it had come to grips with its failures and their consequences.
It retells the story in a way that often (although not always) focuses on God’s promises and all the signs of God’s continuing mercy towards His people and His commitment to protect them from ultimate destruction. Those serve as reasons for them to maintain hope despite their failures.
In a history that was known to be marked by and full of disobedience and apostasy Asa’s early rule is highlighted as a time of remarkable faithfulness to God and served as an example of godly leadership when too few such examples had been seen.
Seek to live a life that pleases God. (1–2)
Asa had seen how, through his father Abijah, God protected Judah from an attack from the northern kingdom of Israel (see 2 Chron. 13).
His father remained firm in his faith in the Lord (see 13:4–12) and now Asa wisely established his reign on a foundation of a radical commitment to put God’s will, the Lord’s commands, above whatever others might have considered good and right.
As king his relationship with God was crucial for guiding and protecting the nation and its relationship with the Lord. He lived his life for an audience of One, seeking to please God above everyone else. We would do well to follow that example.
Remove any barriers to godly living. (3–5)
The references to foreign altars, high places (of foreign worship), sacred stones and Asherah poles are a reminder the culture as a whole strongly leaned towards preferring pagan gods and idols, or syncretism (the tendency to merge the worship of God with pagan elements) over wholehearted commitment to the God who had rescued and redeemed Israel and established His covenant with them.
Asa recognized the extreme dangers posed by such compromises. He knew they undermined the nation’s relationship with God as well as the security and well-being of the nation.
The temptation to do what was right in their own eyes rather than in the eyes of God was a constant threat then as it is today as well. Asa sought to remove as many temptations as possible and to lead his people to seek God above all else.
Guard against temptations and spiritual attacks. (6–8)
Some periods of Israel’s history were marked by peace and opportunity and others by conflict and a scarcity of resources. When Asa found himself in a time of respite from conflict and war he did not simply let his guard down. Rather he took the opportunity to strengthen his nation’s position for the future.
Asa prepared in times of peace and tranquility for the inevitable arrival of times of conflict and difficulty. He trusted wholly in the Lord. But trusting in the Lord does not justify neglecting one’s responsibilities to prepare for the future as responsible leaders and disciples of the Lord.
Asa combined a wholehearted trust and obedience to the Lord with prudent judgment about the use of the time and opportunities God provided him to prepare for the challenges of the future.
We do well to follow his example in taking whatever opportunities God gives us to strengthen those things which God has entrusted to our care, whether our family, our church, our spiritual gifts or whatever it might be.
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