Don't Turn From God - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) February 17, 2023
King Asa was once leader of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He started off with much promise because, amongst other things, he acknowledged God and relied on Him solely in the face of trouble (2 Chronicles 14:11). He also destroyed most places of idol worship. The Lord rewarded his faith and obedience by blessing the nation with prosperity during his reign.
But then, one day, the Northern Kingdom of Israel took steps against their brother nation, Judah (2 Chronicles 16). Instead of turning to God as he had in the past, Asa resorted to the political games leaders play. Feeling threatened, Asa bribed the king of Aram to break his treaty with Israel. The result was that the Aramites broke their covenant and attacked Israel.
However, there was an additional and more serious consequence. The Lord sent Prophet Hanani to chastise King Asa for relying on man. 2 Chronicles 16:9 - ... You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” Asa threw the prophet in prison, and refused to repent for his mistake all his days. He died of a foot disease that God could have cured had he turned back to acknowledge his Maker.
Remember our discussion on the need to acknowledge God from the last message? Also do you remember one of the scriptures referenced? Jeremiah 17:5 - This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. King Asa made a choice to not acknowledge God by relying on what many of us would consider a smart political tactic. Nevertheless, God's word is that those who have witnessed His power in their lives will suffer if they turn away from Him. When this happens, the goodness of God they enjoyed starts to dry up. However, even when such a mistake has been made, there is a way out. King David turned from God when he committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11). God sent Prophet Nathan to pronounce His judgment and David responded with great remorse. The Lord's reaction was immediate - David was forgiven. He still suffered the consequence of his sin just as God had said - the baby that was a product of David's sin died. Yet, God's mercy endured. David and Bathsheba ultimately received joy for their sorrow over the loss of their baby. God gave them another child. One whom many are familiar with - King Solomon. God is so gracious and when we repent for sin, He has promised to forgive us and show us His mercy (1 John 1:9). We simply need to genuinely repent. Let us not turn from the Lord and His kind favor. He knows that many of us will return to our default settings when things get tough. Those default settings are simply the ways we behaved before coming to know and experience His character and goodness. This happens when we allow 'muscle memory' to kick in. If we have failed to acknowledge Him in any way and instead resorted to muscle memory, He will forgive our repentance. This is why He sent Jesus to die and carry upon Himself each and every of our sins.
We therefore need to turn back to the Lord and acknowledge Him. We must confess our sin, repent and decide to have Him and Him only as our anchor in the storm. Not money. Not deception. Not that person we mistakenly see as the solution to our problems. Not shrewd hijinks and manipulation, which were the options King Asa chose.
Take a good and honest look at yourself. Now is not the time to talk/think about how others need to change. This message is about you. Are you the type who relies on man and not God, even if that 'man' is yourself? You think you can rest on your savviness and smarts? Are you the one who has seen the goodness of God, but when trouble came again, your default settings kicked in? Don't turn away from the Lord. Run to Him right now and do the needful.
Please join us at Noon EST for fellowship. God bless you.
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