December 6, 2023
What does it say?
Asa responded angrily to the seer’s message that God would have strengthened and delivered Judah if Asa had relied on the Lord rather than on a human alliance.
What does it mean?
Asa forgot how the Lord had delivered Judah in the past and turned to an ungodly king for help. The Lord was ready to help as He had done before, but Asa did not ask Him to do so. Asa responded with another bad decision – evidence that his heart began to harden towards the Lord. Rather than humbly repent, he took his anger out on the seer and his people. By the time he faced a severe illness five years later, Asa had stopped asking God for help altogether. Asa faithfully served the Lord for 35 years. Yet one foolish decision led to another until he no longer desired to hear from the Lord at all.
How should I respond?
We often wonder why God doesn’t intervene when we’re in a challenging situation. Sometimes it’s because we turn everywhere else for relief instead of turning to Him. God often uses friends, family, counselors, or doctors to give us support. But turning to them first shows that our reliance has shifted from the Lord to people. Dependence on Christ is a daily choice. The Lord stands ready to help, whether it’s through complete deliverance or simply the strength to get through the next day. Before you pick up the phone to call a friend, talk to the Lord. Will you rely on Him today?