II CHRONICLES 15

I've started the day in II Chronicles 15, and here are a few thoughts: 1) ASA's CHARGE- King Asa, king of Judah was given a charge by Azariah the son of Oded, the prophet saying:  "The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you."  This charge is still good for us to remember today that if we desire the blessings of God, we must see that our lives are focused on the LORD and our hearts are after His heart. 2) THE PROBLEM- Isael "hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law."  This is what happens to a nation that forsakes God and we can see that all around us in America.  We are straying from the LORD that founded our great nation.  The results will continue to be disastrous.  3) REWARDING- (vs. 7) "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."  When we are tempted to quit... we must keep going.  The LORD needs to use us, others depend upon us, and the LORD will reward us when it is all said and done! 4)  RESPONSIVE- When Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage and .... "put away the abominable idols" (vs. 8); "renewed the altar of the LORD" (vs. 8); "gathered" the people together (vs. 9); "offered unto the LORD" an offering of 700 oxen, and 7,000 sheep (vs. 11); "entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God" (vs. 12); "sought him with their whole desire" (vs. 15); and "removed" his mother from being queen because she had kept some idols (vs. 16); Thus: "the heart of Asa was perfect all his days."  Thus the Bible records that Asa heard the charge and was responsive to the Words of the LORD.  We too should be responsive to the Word of the Living God as recorded in the Bible! Have a blessed day today!   Pastor Mike Mutchler