King Asa the good king

2 Chronicles Chapter 14

When King Abijah died, his son Asa became king and did what was pleasing and good in he sight of the Lord his God. He removed pagan altars and shrines.He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. And he commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord of their ancestors and to obey his commands.

So Asa's kingdom enjoyed a period of peace and during those times he was able to build up the fortified cities throughout Judah. He also had a large army of warriors from Judah and also from the tribe of Benjamin. Once an Ethiopian named Zerah attacked Judah with an army of a million men, but Asa deployed his armies and cried out to the Lord for help.

The Lord defeated the Ethiopians and they fled. Some were destroyed when they were unable to rally near Gerar. The armies of Judah carried off much plunder taken from nearby towns as well as much livestock.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Even though Judah was experiencing peace, she still prepared for times of trouble and King Asa wisely built his defenses.
Asa prayed for God's help recognizing his powerlessness against a might foe. The secret of victory is to admit our weakness and then trust in God to save. He works best through those who recognize their limitations (2 Corinthians 12:9). Those who think they can do it all are in the most danger.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Asa did what was right in God's eyes and God brought peace. Do you think your leaders of today could bring about peace by obeying God? Isn't it worth a try?
And like Asa, a place to start to secure God's peace might be to remove anything offensive to God. And we all need to continue to ask God for help in removing any source of temptation from our lives.

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 recouperating from a heart attack. Pray he can quit 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.