Anger

Do you remember what we learned from yesterday? How King Asa had won a great victory after his plea to the LORD? It does make a difference when we rely upon the LORD. Here is another lesson from the life of King Asa. After the battle was won against the Ethiopians, things were great, but years later, Israel went against Judah. King Baasha of Israel went up against the sister nation of Judah and built Ramah, a strategic city that would keep people from going in or coming out of Judah. With this, Asa did not go and cry to the LORD like he did when the Ethiopians went against him. No, he sent gifts of gold and such to the King of Syria, relying on the friendship there to win against Israel. It worked. The King of Syria, after receiving the gifts, responded to Asa’s plea and fought against Israel. But after the victory, a prophet, or “seer” named Hanani came with a message from the LORD to King Asa. What the seer told the King was this, that the King relied on Syria instead of the LORD, which displeased the LORD, therefore, because this was done, the rest of Asa’s reign there would be full of wars. In this rebuke, we find a principle that answers our original question.


(what difference it makes whether we do things in our own strength)

Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

God is looking to show Himself strong in the lives of people that will bring Him the glory! That is a wonderful thought. It not only makes a difference whether we go to the LORD on issues in our lives; it makes THE DIFFERENCE!!! God is looking, searching throughout the earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of those who have hearts perfect toward Him, to those who seek Him for victories in their lives!

There is another lesson to be learned from Asa. After the seer was finished pronouncing God’s judgement, King Asa was very angry and put the seer in prison and oppressed some of the people. His heart became hard and cold because of the rebuking message of the seer. When we fail to seek our LORD of RIGHTEOUSNESS and when we don’t like the result, we can either get hard hearted and become cold; or we can repent and go back to our loving Heavenly Father!

In all this, we learn that God makes the difference. We must realize this, humble ourselves, and come with Asa’s plea...

2Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

Have a great weekend and we will talk again on Monday!