Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 15, 16; John 12:26-50
” … From now on thou shall have wars” – 2 Chronicles 16:9(KJV)
Service to God demands that we diligently and consistently seek Him in all that we do. His presence comes when we make the choice to seek Him in all our endeavours, and remains when we consistently seek and hold on to Him. Prophet Oded says in 2 Chronicles 15:2, “….., The LORD is with you while you are with Him, and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you… King Asa did seek the LORD, and was marvelously helped. He took away the alters of the strange gods, and the high places, brake down the images, and commanded all of Judah to seek the LORD and the Law (2 Chron. 14:1-4). God gave King Asa and Judah rest because they sought Him.
When Zerah of Ethiopia came to war with an army twice the size of the army of Judah, King Asa cried unto the LORD, his God, and handed the battle over to Him. God smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled (2 Chronicles 14:9-14). Asa looked up to God like King David did whenever he sensed trouble. Psalm 121:1says, ” I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” While King David remained with God till his death, Asa did not.
In the thirty-sixth year reign of Asa as king, Basha king of Israel came up against Judah. Asa missed it when he decided to take treasures out of the house of the LORD to go make alliance with King of Syria. He did not seek God on this matter at all. He trusted in the arm of flesh. God’s help comes only to those who trust in Him. Jeremiah 17:5, 7 says, “..Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departed from the LORD. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” Although Asa’s league with Syria gave him victory, however he incurred a curse from God for not consulting and looking up to God when Basha came. He lost the round about rest God gave him (2 Chronicles 1515). Hanani, the seer, gave him the word from the LORD, “…Therefore, from now on you shall have wars” – 2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV).
God is looking for those who will trust in Him always, whether in good or unpleasant situation. Looking up to man may help you win just one war but looking up to God will keep wars away from you. Like King David consulted Him all through his time may we continue to make it a lifestyle to trust in Him always and He will remain with us till the end. Trusting Him starts with giving your life to Christ and remaining in Christ. Make that choice to seek and trust God by coming to Jesus if you have not. And if you have, please continue to brave the storms that will come from the victorious position in our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, help me to always look up to you alone.
Bro Onyemaechi Aghanenu