Proactive Devotion

I have been reading 1 Chronicles about the ebb and flow of the Israelites faith in God with each new king. In chapter 14 Asa becomes king after the death Abuja’s. Verse 2 tells us, “Asa did good and right in the sight of the LORD his God (NASB).” As I read the subsequent verses, I thought of how his actions provide us with good advice today.

Verse 3 tells us how Asa removed all the foreign altars to other gods “and commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment (4).” It is good advice for us to remove the things in our life that draw us away from honoring God and to seek to follow his commandments.

Even though the kingdom under Asa was experiencing a time of rest, he still built fortifications. Asa declared, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side (6-7).” It is wise to prepare for the attacks so we don’t grow complacent when things are going well. Paul advises us, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).”

When the attacks did come, Asa was prepared, yet he did not rely on his own strength. He “called to the LORD his God and said, ‘LORD, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O LORD our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You (1 Chronicles 14:11).’” When we are attacked by the schemes of satan, we should continue to seek God and His strength.

© 2021, CGThelen

“But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.” – 1 Chronicles 15:7