Asa's religious reforms

2 Chronicles Chapter 15

The spirit of God came upon Azariah, son of Oded, and he went to meet King Asa as he was returning from battle. He shouted to everyone that so long as they stayed with the Lord, they could seek and find him. But if they abandoned the Lord, he would abandon them. He further said that whenever they were in distress and turned to God, they found him. And during these dark times it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the nations on every hand and nations fought nations and cities fought cities. And now the men of Judah were to be rewarded for their strength and courage.

Asa heard this message and took courage and removed all the idols in the land of Judah and Benjamin and repaired the altar of the Lord which stood in front of the Lord's Temple.

Then Asa called together all the people of Judah and Benjamin and they gathered at Jerusalem in the late spring. On that day, they sacrificed to the Lord some of the animals taken in the plunder of battle. Then they entered into a covenant with the Lord God and agreed that anyone who refused to see the Lord would be put to death. They shouted with joy and had trumpets sound and horns blow. Eagerly they sought God and found him and the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.

King Asa even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an Asherah pole. He cut it down, broke it up and burned it. Though not all the pagan shrines were completely removed from Israel, Asa remained faithful and committed to God throughout his life. And there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of his reign.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Azariah said that Israel,the northern kingdom, was without a true god. Eight kings had reigned in Israel during the forty year reign of Asa. And all eight were evil. Azariah used Israel's problems as an example of the evil that could come to the people of Judah if they turned away from the Lord.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Just as Azariah used encouragement to the men of Judah to keep up the good work. So we today also need inspiration to do good work. Recognition and reward are great motivators. Permanent recognitions and reward will be given in the next life. Don't be discouraged if you feel your faith in God is going unrewarded here on earth. The best rewards are not in this life, but in the life to come.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
Pray for John recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.