Keeping the Faith {1 Kings 12-16}
10:00 PM
Today I will focus on the reign of King Asa of Judah (1 Kings 15:9-24).
In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah.
He was the great-grandson of Solomon. He took the throne after his father's
brief reign and he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother's
name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. He removed that which was
evil from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
“11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father
(forefather) David. “
But there was something he did not do: “14 But the high
places [of idol worship] were not removed. Nevertheless, Asa’s heart was
entirely devoted to the Lord all
his days. 15 He brought the things which his father
had dedicated and the things which he had dedicated into the house of the Lord—silver, gold, and utensils and
accessories.”
I mean, why not vanish once and for all these high places? I like what the iWorship Bible mentions
regarding this: “… that given the backdrop of a fallen world, you can’t expect
perfection. You have to give in to what you don’t’ fully endorse in order to
hold on to what really matters.” “King
Asa understood that. “ “All the same, he wasn’t successful in getting rid of all the
garbage that had accumulated in the Temple. Certain pagan practices and shrines
remained in spite of his influence!”
That is also true in our lives, isn’t it? We are still a work in
process! We are not alone as we continue
in our walk through this fallen world (Matt 28:20, 1 Sam 12:22)! But we must
not give in or compromise! How do we
react under pressure? Is our conduct influenced by the company we keep?
As we continue reading we find that king Asa, made a poor decision as he
felt threatened by Baasha the king of Israel: Asa took all the silver and
gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the treasuries
of the king's house, and used this treasure to buy the favor of Ben-Hadad of
Syria, so that he would withdraw support from Israel.
“Asa was cordially devoted to the service of God, his sins not arising
from presumption. But his league with Benhadad arose from unbelief. Even true
believers find it hard, in times of urgent danger, to trust in the Lord with
all their heart. Unbelief makes way for carnal policy, and thus for one sin
after another. Unbelief has often led Christians to call in the help of the
Lord’s enemies in their contests with their brethren; and some who once shone
brightly, have thus been covered with a dark cloud towards the end of their
days.” (M.Henry)
Jesus tells us that we will have
troubles in this world, but in order to resist we must stand firm on our faith!
He has promised that we have victory through our faith because He has overcome
the world (John 16:33)!
Paul understood this and so he wrote: “18 This command I entrust to you,
Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning
you, so that [inspired and aided] by them you may fight the good fight [in
contending with false teachers], 19 keeping your
faith [leaning completely on God with absolute trust and confidence in His
guidance] and having a good conscience; for some [people] have rejected [their
moral compass] and have made a shipwreck of their faith.” (1 Tim. 1:19)
Peter also encourages us: “7 casting all your cares
[all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all]
on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you
very carefully]. 8 Be sober [well balanced and
self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That
enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry],
seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, be
firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established,
immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being
experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not
suffer alone.] 10 After you have suffered for a
little while, the God of all grace [who imparts His blessing and favor], who
called you to His own eternal glory in Christ, will Himself
complete, confirm, strengthen, and establish you [making you what you ought to
be].” (1 Peter 5:7-10)
Remember we are a work in process and
when you are facing hard and uncertain times, we can be encouraged to press on
knowing that you are an overcomer!
Blessings,
Mari
0 comments