2nd Chronicles 14 WE REST ON THEE Asa was only young when God gave a great victory to his father Abijah. That may have been what motivated him as a a young king to seek the Lord and live consciously aware of his need of God. Our children often remember certain remarkable events in their early lives that leaves a lasting impression for good - or bad. It is of great importance that we speak often to them of God's truth when we "rise up... walk in the way... and lie down." We need to take every opportunity to teach them about the power and results of faith, and why it is so important to "live by faith."
The forty-one years of Asa's reign as king of Judah are written about by the chronicler in three sections. There was the first period of ten years at the beginning in which he vigorously removed the idols, artifacts and symbols of idolatry that had been there since the time of his grandmother and great-grandmother. Solomon, Rehoboam and Abijah all had been influenced by those idolatrous women to have high places and other things associated with idol worship to be spread around the country even though the magnificent temple in Jerusalem was the center of worship for the Lord's people. It is possible for people to get so used to evil when it becomes common-place, that it just becomes another part of life in a deteriorating society. To remove that which is wrong, is as important as doing that which is right.
When two different philosophies become so mixed that there is a blending of thought to accommodate to each other with tolerance is really to "give place to the devil." We must "resist the devil and he will flee" from us. Any source of temptation and that which we know is offensive to God, must be taken away rather than be overlooked or ignored. It is important to "worship the Father in spirit and in truth," and it is also important to remove anything that can detract us from living by faith.
Asa's early years of peaceful reign were because he removed what was wrong, and also because he was realistic enough to know that there were steps to take to defend his country. There are steps we must take to promote that which is right, not just to concentrate on that which is wrong. He made sure every town in Judah had all vestiges of false gods removed, and that was good. To do half a job in cleansing is still to remain dirty. To only do part way in reform is not real reform. Partial obedience is not real obedience at all. True obedience to God on the part of Asa led to ten years of peace given by the Lord. During that time, he took away that which was evil, and built up the cities with walls as a defense against the inevitable attacks that would come. There will always be opposition to the truth in one form or another. Truth and righteousness cannot coexist nor "cross-pollinate" with that which is false and a compromise with the word of God. The god of this world does not go on vacations nor does he let the rest God's people enjoy go unchallenged.
Training time is not wasted time even if there does not seem to be serious difficulties at present. Alertness and skill go together. The consistent teaching of the word of God, the on-going work with children in the interest of seeing them saved, and the continual outreach of the Gospel may not seem to be producing any visible results at the moment. But it takes much longer to prepare for a harvest than to reap a harvest. There will come a time when we will see that all the effort that was put forth in peaceable times provided the security and promoted the skill needed when the enemy attacks. Much can be done in a short time when we are well prepared, especially in times of open opposition. It is in those times the power and saving grace of God is openly seen. A "time of visitation" often accompanies a time of fear and challenge.
Asa and his army were ready when they were needed. The men of Judah were trained in the use of heavy shields and long spears. The men of Benjamin were ready to use the small shields and bows and arrows because they had taken the time to learn how to do what they were taught. Even though a million-man army, a two-to-one foe, came against them, they didn't run and hide but went out to meet the enemy and defend what God had given them. We are responsible to do what we can do and what we are called upon to do, but in every situation, we need God. Asa was very conscious of the necessity of relying on God for victory. In spite of training and careful preparation, it is "God that worketh in you, to will and to do of His good pleasure." Again, and again it is proven that God's "strength is made perfect in weakness." The powerless against the mighty may seem like a very fearful position to be in, but when the power of God is manifested, there will be victory. "To God be all the glory!"
Decisions as to how to face the enemies of our souls need to be made well in advance, so that when temptations arise there has been preparation made as to how not to yield to temptation. There are reasons for our Lord to give us times of peace and preparation. When we recognize and acknowledge our limitations, we are then in the place where we have learned to trust God in both the good times and the bad. Asa and his army had done what they could during the years of peace. Then in the name of the Lord they met the million-man army of the Ethiopians and the enemy was defeated. "If God be for us, who can be against us."
In some miraculous way, God struck down the Ethiopians and they were overthrown because they were "destroyed before the Lord." The crushing blow of divine power opened the way for Asa and his forces to pursue the enemy and become enriched because of all the enemy left behind. There are times when God allows enemies of the Lord's people to come against us to make us conscious of our need of God. Sometimes difficulties are allowed to make us realize that self-assurance is one of the ways pride is seen, and "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." It is then the "chastening of the Lord" is because of wrong on our part. There are also times when opposition arises and we wonder what we have done to bring this on us. In such times as that it may be that we have been given a time and opportunity to exercise faith, with that as its purpose. "In vain doth earth and hell oppose, for God is stronger than His foes." When we rely on God, even when we question the events and the reason for them, God is glorified. "Even so Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."