Asa-God Rewards Obedience

By Mary Vee
II Chronicles 15, I Kings 15

From Asa's Journals

One day after the battle, the prophet Azariah came to me with a special message from God. I didn't know whether to be afraid of expect exciting news. The battle against Zerah the Cushinte and his men had been won solely by the hand of God. 

Now, I want to seek His will because ruling a nation, even if it is small is not an easy task.

He said, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

"For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was foud by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 

"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for yor work will be rewarded."

He couldn't have said more encouraging words. The Lord is with us! He is pleased!

I'm going to get back to work removing all the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns we captured in the hills of Ephraim, too. 

I'm so excited. After the idols are removed I will have the altar of the Lord repaired, the one that is in front of the portico of the Lord's temple. The silver and gold and the articles that my father and I have dedicated will also be brought into the temple.

I have not been able to remove the high places of false worship in Israel, but my heart is fully committed to the Lord for the rest of my life. And as I know he sees what is in my heart, He will continue to be pleased.

I can't tell you what an energizing feeling this brings to my soul.

Following the war with Zerah the Cushite, we had peace in Judah and Benjamin. 

Here is the most exciting news. In my grandfather Rehoboam's time, many of the people split away from us. During my life time I have seen families from the trive of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon come to live with us in Judah. 

They especially returned to offer sacrifices to the Lord, God of Israel at His temple, with His appointed priests.

Praise the Lord God of Israel for His love to His people.

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photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Who was Asa's grandfather?
2. Asa was a king of Judah who did/did not obey God? _____________
3. What message did the prophet Azariah bring Asa?
4. What did Asa do after hearing this message?
5. Who joined the people of Judah because they saw God blessed that tribe?
6. What did the new people do that please God?