Introduction: Last time we looked at the power that comes from giving our hearts, our futures and our cares to the Lord. Today, we will see the testing that invariably follows such a move!
1. As with all of us, God makes and communicates the standards of life. God sought out the King to make sure he knew what God’s expectation was (15:1-2). His Divine expectation for Asa was no different than for us, and can be stated in five principles (15:3-7):
- Reciprocation Principle: The Lord stands with you when you stand with Him (2a) and allows you to discover Him when you search for Him (2b). The Lord will turn His face from one who turns away from Him first (2b).
- Absence Principle: God dwells in the truths He has proclaimed. When the truth is not faithfully taught, God is not represented, and is “gone” from the scene (3).
- Sincerity Principle: Even when things are dark, a sincere search for God will be met with open arms and a sympathetic ear! (4).
- Deterrence Principle: When the truths of God are pushed aside, the fabric of the society wears thin, and troubles rise (5). One of God’s penalties for denying His truths was to allow turmoils and political infighting (6).
- Witness Principle: God’s intent was for the believer to emerge from the dark days to courageously stand by the truth of the Word in spite of it all. The result was the reward of the Father (7).
2. As with any obedient believer, Asa acted on God’s Word (15:8-19) by following an Eight step “Progression of Obedience”:
- Removing the things that cause sinful influence comes first (15:8a).
- Putting time, effort and money into things that please God comes next (15:8b).
- Gathering with others who want to follow after God follows shortly after (15:9).
- An emphasis on worship and celebration comes next (15:10).
- Sacrificial and heartfelt giving follows this (15:11).
- Firm and public stands to follow God at all cost develops in God’s people as they experience the power of standing together in truth! (15:12-15a).
- Often, God honors the people with a time of peace and prosperity (15b).
- The test of compromise comes amid the time of rest, and it must be carefully passed (16-18).
The Magnificent Obsession, p. 93 by David Swartz concerning the Apostles and the Book of Acts:
These men did not make “acts of faith,” –they believed; they did not “say their prayers,” they really prayed. They did not hold conferences on psychosomatic medicine – they simply healed the sick… No one can read this book without being convinced that there is Someone here at work beside mere human beings, Perhaps because of their very simplicity, perhaps because of their readiness to believe, to obey, to give, to suffer, and if need be – to die. The Spirit of God found in them what He must be seeking- a fellowship of men and women so united in love and faith, (so committed to the truth of His Words) that he could work in them and through them with the minimum of… hindrance.”
Such the Father seeks: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” (2 Chron 16:9).
