God is with You when You are with Him

The book of Chronicles has many life lessons, and 2nd Chronicles 14-16 give an account of Asa's life, which has numerous lessons.  For today's reflection, the emphasis will be on chapter 14-15. 

After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam became king but he abandoned the law of God (2nd Chron 12:1) and did evil (2nd Chron 12:14).  After Rehoboam's reign, his son Abijah succeeded him and 2nd Chronicles 13 imply that he feared God and believed that there was only one true God, however nothing is said about him addressing issues of idol worship in the land of Israel.  In 2nd Chronicles 14, Abijah was succeeded by his son Asa and the opening remarks about his reign are outstanding: "Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.  He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles...No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest."

Asa was a reformist who zealously confronted the practise of pagan worship to eliminate it in the land of Israel.  The consequence of Asa and his people turning back to God was rest (14:6), growth (14:7-8) and victory (14:9-15).  In chapter 15, prophet Azariah under the inspiration of the Spirit said, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin.  The Lord is with you when you are with him.  If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you." 

This is such a profound truth!  Just like it is exhibited in Asa's life, when we are with God, He is with us.  When God is with us, the manifestation of His Majesty and Glory is evident in our lives!  For example, large numbers came from all over Israel to Asa's kingdom (Judah), because they saw that the Lord his God was with him (15:9).  This occurrence reminds me of the promise in Isaiah 60:3-7, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the bightness of your dawn. ...the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come.  Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah.  And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the Lord."

This is true for the Church and our beloved country Kenya.  All we need, and all that we will ever need, is found in God.  True peace, economic growth, and prosperity is in God.  For He alone is a Sure Foundation, and all other ground is sinking sand.  Does that mean that the wicked cannot prosper?  The may prosper, but there final destiny is destruction (Psalms 73).  When a church's influence dwindles, it is common for them to begin to revamp their programs, develop new strategies of publicising themselves to the community and perhaps arrange for strategic meetings with community leaders to gain their support.  When a country is threatened by its enemies, its economy is in turmoil and there are great social ills in its land, it is common for them to strengthen their armies, formulate better economic policies and come up with social programs to address social ills.  These are good measures, but if that church and nation is not with God, these measures will not avail much.  David understood this very well, and states in Psalms 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.  Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

Just like the Israelites during Asa's reign sought the Lord eagerly and earnestly (15:15), so the Lord is calling us to Himself, to seek Him with all of our hearts.  Jeremiah 29:13 states that, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."  God will be found by us if we seek Him.

Summary of lessons drawn from Asa's life:

• God is Holy, and we too must be holy, if we are to be in right standing with Him.
• All we need: peace, wealth, growth, victory etc. is found in God.  Apart from Him we do nothing.
• When God is with us, it is evident.  Resources and people are drawn to His glory.
• God is near to those who seek Him.  When we seek Him earnestly, He will be found by us.

Join me in making this prayer:

Oh God, I pray that I may learn to continually abide in you and that my heart be set on earnestly seeking you.  Amen.