God is teaching me so many things as I read the stories of the kings in 2 Chronicles. Each king has multiple levels of lessons I need to learn for life. For instance, the story of Asa covers three chapters. He ruled as king in Judah for nearly 42 years. I figure he must have done some things right. And he did. But he also did some things very wrong. Isn't that like most of our lives. We really try to do the right things. But occasionally we find ourselves doing something pertaining to God that is a wrong thing.
As the stroy begins in chapter 14, Asa takes over as king after his father had died. God says the land was quiet for the first 10 years of the reign of Asa. Then the story begins to tell us some of the reasons behind this quietness from wars. Verse 2 tells us that he did what was right and good in the eyes of the Lord his God. I remember reading in the Psalms or Proverbs, that if a man's ways are found pleasing to the Lord, He will make even his enemies be at peace with him. And that is exactly what we see happening here.
Asa began well. Verse 2 explains that he had a personal relationship with God. God was his God. Secondly, this indicates that he had a practical religion. He did the good thing. He did the right thing. His personal relationship led to his practical religion. It was not ivory tower theology. He did not know about God, he knew God! That knowledge always produces an individual who does that which is right and good while the individual is walking in fellowship with God. 1 John 1 reminds us of these truths. We have fellowship with God as we walk in the light as He is in the light. Still, there is a third aspect of verse 2 which stands out in my mind. The verse says that he did what was good and right "in the eyes of the Lord". He had a primary recognition. That recognition was from God.
It does not matter if we do what is good and right in the eyes of other individuals. It does not matter if we do what is good and right in our own eyes. It does matter whether we do what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord. The apostle Paul wrote about that to the Corinthian believers. He said it did not matter to him what others thought about his him. And further more, he said it did not matter what he thought about his own ministry. What mattered was what God thought about it.
One day we will all stand before almighty God and give an account for every idol word we have spoken as well as each action. At that moment, it will not matter what I thought about what I did or what excuses I may give. All that matters is what God has seen and knows. He sees all and knows all. He knows my thoughts from afar. He knows my every word when they are still on my tongue. He knows everything there is to know about me.
The story of Asa begins with God saying he did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. How does the story begin for my life? Better yet, how does the story begin for your life? Have a great and godly day!
No comments:
Post a Comment