Here is the story of a great king of Judah named King Asa. In his younger days as king, he trusted in God and won a great victory. A million men had come to make war with the little country of Judah. Having a much smaller army, King Asa prayed with all his heart to God about fighting against this great enemy. When the battle was over, King Asa’s country was victorious and much richer than before. He knew it was God’s victory, and his heart was filled with praise.
The prophet named Oded went out to meet King Asa and told him, Be strong, and don’t let your hands be weak. This encouraged King Asa so much that he gathered others from Israel for a great feast to thank God for the victory. There were animal sacrifices and trumpets and shouting and good promises to follow God with all their hearts and with all their souls.
Did you ever feel like that? Did you ever praise and shout and make music and feel as if you could follow the Lord forever? Joy and victory and promises are good, but they won’t keep you forever. It is exciting to be with other Christians and praise the Lord together. But days and years pass, and Satan has his sneaky plans for you, even if you are a real Christian and your intentions are good.
Satan had another plan to bother King Asa, and this time the enemy was closer to home and not nearly so big and scary-looking. The enemy’s plan was to build up the city of Ramah and cut off supplies to King Asa. So what would the king do this time?
King Asa thought up his own plan, and maybe it was a good plan. He sent silver and gold to King Ben-hadad and said, Go fight with my enemy. The plan worked. The enemy king stopped building up Ramah, and King Asa carried off the stones and timber and used it for his own buildings.
Maybe that was a smart idea, but where were the sacrifices and praise to God after this victory? And where was the music and shouting? And what about those promises he made to God after the first victory?
It’s not much use to make promises to God, because we are too changeable to keep them. But listen to this! We have a wonderful Saviour who has gone all the way to Calvary’s cross to keep His promise to sinners like you and me! If He has saved you and you really want to follow Him, then He will supply strength every day, if you ask Him. You can’t do it alone. Don’t count on your promises; count on His! His power can never fail!
King Asa wasn’t trusting in God; he had trusted in gold and silver. It worked. But that is not the end of the story. Now God sent Hanani the prophet to tell King Asa that what he had done was wrong. This is what he said: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show 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” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
King Asa was in a rage about this. Hanani’s message did not please him at all. To make sure he did not hear it again, he shut up the prophet in prison. But can anyone silence God?
King Asa got a disease in his feet. He didn’t turn to God first about the problem; he turned to the doctors and hoped they could help him.
If you are a true Christian, remember, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). The doctors can probably help you, but also remember that all skill and wisdom comes from God. Psalm 107:19 says, “They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He [saves] them out of their distresses.” God is sure to do the best thing for you, and if the disease is not healed, He will stay with you right to the end. He promises, “I will never leave thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
For two years King Asa suffered from this disease until finally he died. God did not forget that joyful victory in his younger days, but how sad that King Asa did not continue to trust in God. And it’s sad that he was in a rage when the prophet told him what he had done was wrong. He did not die triumphantly.
And God remembers how you trusted Him once, maybe years ago. He has not changed. His wisdom, love and power are forever the same. He loved you enough to send Jesus to die for you. Trust Him now and turn to Him every day of your life.
Think About God’s Word!
1. What did King Asa do to Hanani after he gave King Asa a troubling message?
2. Trusting in the Lord isn’t just a feeling. Those come and go. Trust is shown by simply believing God and doing what He says. What did the children of Israel do that showed their faith? (See Exodus 14:13.)
Project: Describe how each of these people showed their faith in God: Daniel; David; Noah; Joseph.