If You Are At Peace, Fortify Yourself

From: November 22 – 28, 2011

TOPIC: "If You Are At Peace, Fortify Yourself” 2 Chronicles 14:1-13

King Asa did what was good and righteous in the eyes of the LORD His God. That's where there is well-being for men. His desire was to make every effort to present himself approved before God, like a soldier who has nothing to be ashamed of (2 Timothy 2:15), or for being negligent, or idle, or vain, or arrogant. Asa wanted God to be pleased to see that there was a king in the land that would be faithful to Him. To be in the presence of God is to gain everything and for that he had to do what was good and righteous. So King Asa was in the presence of the Lord, and that is what helped him to do what was good and righteous. When one moves away from the presence of the Lord one begins to do things according to the flesh. Asa had to prepare a reform for his reign in Israel. That is why he completely removed the idolatry (2 Chronicles 14: 3). Let us remember that King Solomon was the one who started with his great idolatry. 2 Chronicles 13:10, 11 shows us that the priests carried out all that was religious. They complied with the duty of the call, they did what God wanted. But, there was a great problem for many of the people, negligence. The people had neglected the service of the temple, it seems proper for men to turn away from God for all those things they love even more. Asa destroyed the idols hoping that the idolaters would turn themselves in. Asa reestablished the worship that should be to God only. He forced the people to seek the God of Israel (vs. 4). It wasn’t if they wanted to, it was an obligation to serve God so that things would go well. That search brought blessings to the kingdom, that is why Israel was at peace under the reign of Asa (2 Chronicles 14: 6). Asa in his piety and devotion to God and all that is holy was rewarded with ten years of peace from those wars that were destroying them since King Salomon’s reign. All this, for not worshiping God, for not being devoted to God and for such reason, there was no piety. Asa reformed the nation. Then, he took advantage of those peaceful times to fortify the city. He consulted the people; he searched for the people’s representatives to see how, with the peace that they had now, to make the best of it. Siblings, laziness is the worst for the people. We must always keep our hands busy to be prepared and find grace before the Lord. In Acts 9:31 says, "Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened and encouraged by the Holy Spirit; it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” In good times you can prepare for future times that are not good. Asa surrounded the cities with walls, towers, gates… (2 Chronicles 14:7) We must be in prayer, fasting, in the Word, congregating. If it is no longer done, it is because of so much idolatry which is in the vain heart. Although there was peace, Asa could understand that he and the city were exposed to danger. That is the way it is when you and your family are exposed to the great dangers of life. If it is well built, it is also prospered. King Asa had a good army; Judah and Benjamin were ready to face anything (2 Chronicles 14:8). Why do we go crazy with what suddenly comes up? Because we believe that with so much peace that we have nothing will happen to us, but when torrents of water come to drown us we let see how fearful, righteous and pious we were. The difficult day for Asa had arrived. The Ethiopians arrived with a million on foot and 300 cars (2 Chronicles 14: 9). They arrived at their land. At no time was there a claim to God by Asa, what occurred was a cry to God. That army was coming to disturb that great peace and they had to fight for that peace. They had prepared, there was no idleness in the time of peace but rather they had built, they worked for the battle. Those who search God in the day of prosperity can then cry out to God in the difficult day and will obtain, on the day of grief they will cry out and they will be heard. He prayed to God so that God would lead all that great battle (2 Chronicles 14:11). Praise God and recognize the sovereignty and power of God ... there is no difference in God to support the powerful or those who have no strength. God works with His strength, not with weakness or the strength of men. It wasn’t that God was in agreement with Asa for a good army but rather that without God there is no power.

"Oh, Jehovah, you are our God..." They depended on Him. Asa had a good army and had prepared very well for the battle, but even though he did not put his trust in how well prepared he was, but rather in his God. "Because we rely on you and in thy name we go against this army...." We have assurance of God, we seek His glory. "No man prevails against thee." Our enemies were defeated in the cross. If we seek God, He will be the one who will confuse all that wants to confuse us. Amen.