When Presented with a New Challenge, Will We Trust God or Man? — 2 Chronicles 16:7-9
Asa had trusted God and won a great victory and peace for a long time. Then, God allowed another challenge to arise.
This time, Asa took all his treasure from the temple and paid off the king of Aram to rescue him.
Then, God sends a prophet.
2 Chronicles 16:7-9 (NIV84) “At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand.” “Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand.” “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.””
This story takes a sad turn. Asa does not repent or receive the rebuke from God; instead, he puts the messenger in jail. Then God brings a physical ailment to Asa, and He does not go to God with it, even to his grave.
This made me wonder. Do I live off past victories? The impossible thing in front of me right now: am I seeking God or man to help me?
When rebuke or correction comes to me, am I willing to receive it? Am I turning to God, or will my heart get hard and my will get stubborn?
I am taken by this phrase from the prophet in verse 9: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
Father, strengthen me, help me stay committed to you.
