Msg#2536 Doubled Down on Stupid
In the Bible God not only tells us what happened, he tells us what happens. After a royal blunder God told Rehoboam’s grandson King Asa “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him …” (2Chron.16:9). Early in his rein Judah was confronted with Ethiopia’s million man army; outnumbered two-to-one he called on the LORD saying, “LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest in thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude” (14:11). “So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa” (vrs.12), and Asa had strength, revival, rejoicing, and victory for 35 years (chap.15). But when Baasha, king of Israel came up against Judah, Asa had remarkable success by making a league with Benhadad, king of Syria. His tactic was genius, but expensive, quite effective, but God said, “Because thou has relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God … Herein thou has done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars” (16:7,9b). Sadly, “Then Asa was roth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing” (16:10). Asa doubled down on stupid; his last lost war was sadder still, “Asa … was diseased in his feet, until the disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians” (16:12). Two years later Asa was dead. God tells what happens, so we can learn. Don’t let this happen to you. “In all thy ways acknowledge him”, especially concerning those physicians.
An Essay for week #36, Sep 7, 25
Read Systematic Theology www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology/
Israel Tour Journals www.GSBaptistChurch.com/israel22/ /israel23/
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee.
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs250907.mp3
