King Asa's downfall

2 Chronicle Chapter 16

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa's territory. Asa in turn took the silver and gold from the treasuries of the Temple and sent it to King Ben-hadad of Aram who was ruling Damascus. With the jewels was a message to King Ben-hadad that asked to renew the treaty that existed between their fathers. Perhaps if Ben-hadad broke the treaty with King Baasha, then he would leave Asa alone.

Ben-hadad agreed and sent his armies to attack Israel and captured many cities. Baasha heard this and abandoned his projects to fortify Ramah. Then Asa called all the men of Judah to carry away the building stones and timbers Baasha had been using. Asa used these materials to fortify Geba and Mizpah.

Hanani the seer came to Asa and told him that because he put his trust in Aram instead of in the Lord, he missed his chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. He reminded Asa of what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans when Asa called upon the Lord and he handed them over. Hanani told Asa he was a fool and from now on would be at war. Asa was so angry at Hanani, he threw him in prison and Asa began to oppress his people.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a foot disease and even when it was life-threatening, he did not seek the Lord. He died in the forty-first year of his reign and was buried in the city of David.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Clearly Asa was no longer a faithful servant of the Lord. He tried to count on his own self for help, or the help of others, instead of the Lord. Judah and Israel never learned, although the Lord promised to deliver them when they were outnumbered, they repeatedly sought help from pagan nations.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Asa seeking help from a pagan nation instead of God, shows his national spirit in decline. His confidence in God had slipped. Can this happen to us today? Yes, it can. Even when confronted with godly people who try to help us, we can often refuse to seek the help of God and try to do things our own way. While it is not a sin to use human means to solve our problems, it is a sin to trust them more than God or leave God out of it altogether. We must learn to run TO God, not FROM God in times of trouble.

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.