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“For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him…”

2 Chronicles 16:9

Doesn’t that verse sound like someone is about to get a pat on the back?

Well, think again. This is the story of Asa.

Asa was the third king of Judah and a descendant of King David. He was one of the few godly kings who ruled.

Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God

2 Chronicles 14:2

• He removed the pagan altars.  
• He told the people of Judah to seek the Lord and obey His commands.
• He executed the queen mother for making an obscene image of Asherah.
• Asa praised God with a full heart.

Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “Lord, there is no one besides you to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, Lord our God, for we depend on you, and in your name, we have come against this large army. Lord, you are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder you.” 

2 Chronicles 14:11

Then the Lord sent a prophet to Asa to warn him against rejecting God.

“The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.”

2 Chronicles 15:2 

Asa was wholeheartedly devoted his entire life.

2 Chronicles 15:17

But then something happened.

There was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

2 Chronicles 15:19

And then our stalwart hero flinched. He did what many believers do. He gave way. I don’t know if he gave into fear, greed or distrust of God. Who knows? His heart is not for us to judge. We must keep our eyes on our own wayward hearts. What we do know is that he signed a treaty with the enemy of God.

The prophet of God confronted Asa with his sin. Instead of repenting and seeking God’s face, Asa intensified his sin.

Asa was enraged with the seer and put him in prison because of his anger over this. And Asa mistreated some of the people at that time.

2 Chronicles 16:10

Scripture tells us that the king died angry at God.

…Asa developed a disease in his feet, and his disease became increasingly severe. Yet even in his disease he didn’t seek the Lord but only the physicians. Asa rested with his ancestors; he died in the forty-first year of his reign. 

2 Chronicles 16:12 & 13

If you have drifted away, humble yourself before the Lord who loves you. Let the rest of your story be that you finished your race wholeheartedly and true.

You can read all of Asa’s story in 2 Chronicles 14-16.

Share the Good News in your world.

Isaiah 52:7

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.