Text: II Chronicles 14-15.
This text deals with Judah's King, Asa. Unlike the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Judah had some good kings. King Asa started off well. Scripture tells us he did what was good and right IN THE EYES OF THE LORD. Some people think if something is good in our eyes, it must be good in God's. That's not always the case. Asa trusted God and reigned for 41 years.
When the Ethiopians came against him with a million man army and 300 chariots, Asa went to God. He knew only God could deliver them because their army was only 580,000 men. After the battle was won, a word from the Lord came through Azariah to Asa. God encouraged him to be strong, don't let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. With renewed strength, he did what God wanted.
King Asa and Judah enjoyed peace for 35 years. Then King Baasha, of Israel, built Ramah, which sat at a major crossroads. He wanted to prevent his people from going south to Judah. King Asa wasn't happy, but debated whether or not Judah should attack their northern brothers. He comes up with a peaceful solution by buying a treaty with Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria. Ben-Hadad attacks King Baasha and takes care of King Asa's problem - or so Asa thought.
This time, God sends Hanani, the prophet, with correction. Because he did not seek God's wisdom, he ended up strengthening a nation God wanted to judge. Instead of repenting like David did after he sinned, King Asa got made and threw the prophet in jail. Asa is not only mad with the prophet, but with God and doesn't repent. In the 39th year of his reign, he becomes diseased in his feet. He doesn't go to God because he's at odds with God. Physicians cannot help him, and after two years, Asa dies.
Check out these Scripture verses: I Peter 5:5-9, James 4:6-7, Acts 7:51-53, 2 Timothy 3:8-9, 2 Timothy 4:14-15. We're instructed to become conformed to the image of Christ. If you're resisting God's work in your life, who are you becoming conformed to? We're yielding to the enemy of our souls. If we want to have victory in the Christian life, it's necessary to submit to God and resist the devil. Only then will the devil flee from you.
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