Passage of the Day:
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. 2 Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. 3 “Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.” 4 Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim[a] and all the store cities of Naphtali. 5 When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and abandoned his work. 6 Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah.7 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. 8 Were not the Cushites[b] and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen[c]? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. 9 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.” 10 Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people, 2 Chronicles 16:1-10.
Reflection:
As the life expectancy increases with scientific advances, it’s hard for a man or woman to finish strong late in life. Whether its Alzheimer’s, Dementia or Parkinson disease, the final years of those battling these conditions can be downright cruel. However, in the case of King Asa, a godly leader for the first 36 years of his reign as king, he developed a cold spiritual heart. Perhaps, apathy and complacency opened the door for evil to enter his life, Ephesians 4:26-27. Whatever the reason, today’s passage serves as a warning against mailing it in during the home stretch of your life.
Prayerful Action:
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me, Psalm 31:1-2.
Restoring Your Heart:
In the early years of life, pride and arrogance will lead to destruction. Meanwhile, near the end, a failing body and mind is hard to overcome. Yet, for King Asa, sometime prior to his 36th year as ruler, subtle compromises became a way of life. This didn’t come suddenly but was a byproduct of trusting in his own abilities rather than looking up to God for answers. When your heart catches a spiritual cold, the obedience that you once followed without a doubt is brought into question. Maybe King Asa forgot the word of one of Israel’s forefathers in Joshua 1:8. When Christians stop opening the Bible and prayer becomes a distant memory, this is when a cold heart starts to influence what you say, how you act and the path that you eventually follow, Matthew 7:13-14.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
The good news about stumbling across the finish line of faith, Hebrews 10:26-27 suggests death bed confessions are possible. Those who keep their eyes on eternity will be able to fight through the spiritual illness of a cold heart.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 