I almost had a panic attack tonight because I thought God was playing a practical joke on me. I had stated in my last blog entry that I was "making" myself read my bible, and tonight, when I had a heart to read it.. I couldn't find it anywhere. I searched everywhere I could have had it.. and thought for sure God had thrown an invisibility cloak over it or something to teach me a lesson. We don't realize what we have until we've lost it, right? I started regretting my words... and finally... I found it under a pile of clothes that I don't remember putting it under. Phew
So anyways, tonight I read a couple chapters in 1 Kings (I am almost done with that book- which is exciting!) and of course the whole book is about all the kings and pretty much how they compare to King David's greatness. Well, none of the kings really measured up to ole' Dave, because he was worthy and righteous in the eyes of the Lord (except for the Bathsheba incident... But no one is perfect, right?). Anyways, David is great, and no one else can achieve goodness like him. Solomon came close. He was a smart dude and God blessed him with many riches and stuff. Of course, he then thought he must have more wives than one and they ended up turning his heart and eyes from God and brainwashing him with their gods. (This would be a great story in the Nauvoo newspaper...)
too soon?
Needless to say, that ended Solomon's great reign. And every king went downhill from there...It is so sad to read about these great leaders who turned to greed, power, false gods and sexual sin when God gave them a chance to prove themselves worthy.
But, on the other hand it is awesome to see God's reaction throughout the book. Even if a king screws up and throws his life away, God still said things like... "Because of David I will give him a son that I will not curse" or something on those lines. I am not quoting... but the point is that God remembered David's faithfulness and loved him so much that he blessed David's sons and son's sons and so on, giving them plenty of grace, before they even knew the grace of Jesus' death. So, they should have been very thankful for David. But they weren't. They turned from David and most importantly they turn from God.
And then... along comes a guy named Asa.
I have heard of Asa, but I have never read about his story in the Bible. (I sound like Don Miller.. I know Don, we all have stories, get out of my head!) And after reading about him, I wonder why I have never heard this story before. It is an amazing story! It is in 1 Kings 15:9-24, so go read it...
Asa was different. His forefathers had been screw ups- but for some reason, Asa came out with a heart for God. The bible says "Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done". And it gives an account of how Asa shook up the order of every sinful detail. He got rid of shrines and idols and acts of sin (He even kicked his grandmother out of her queenly-hood because she had made an "asherah pole" which I assume means she was worshiping other gods. His own grandmother. He wasn't messing around. She probably even sat at the kiddy table for family meals.) Asa meant business.
Its remarkable to think that this guy rose out of a murky water hole of despair and found the light above. I love that the Word compares him to David. I bet Asa was a breath of fresh air for the Lord, I mean obviously God had planned it... but nonetheless, I can just imagine Him smiling so keenly down at Asa with all the pride a Father can muster.
I find encouragement in Asa's story. His courage and bravery that could have so easily turned to pride and greed outshone all the faults of his forefathers. He did not "go with the flow" and do as the former kings had done.
Asa is an inspiration, and its too bad I haven't read his story sooner.
Or maybe, I heard it at exactly the right time.
Or, I read it at this exact right time, because you needed to hear it at this exact moment.
Either way, God is getting His point across.
Because he doesn't mess around either.
"...Asa's heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life."
5 comments:
Def great encouragement Em. I might try reading it tomorrow when I wake up. You are still my favorite writer. DM doesn't even come close to your amazing writings. I hope you enjoy tomorrow's reading as much as you did today's!
Em,
If you ever get a chance to do a Walk Thru the Bible experience of the Old Testament do it. It is a seminar type event that teaches you a creative way to remember 77 of the most important people places and events of the old testament. I absolutely loved it!! Got a lot out of it.
thanks for the comment on Equally Yoked. I forwarded it on to my friend.
So, I finally re-read your blog...Sorry it took so long. You were right, my comment was super lame before haha.
Thinking back on it I remember this story from when I was at Ecola and we were going through the Kings and Chronicles books. It's pretty incredible how Asa (Ass-uh ;)had everything that he wanted, from the world's point of view, and yet he fought what his parents had done, his grandparents and so on. He decided that he wasn't going to be part of that evil line that was bringing Israel down. I think it's great encouragement for believers that are in families that don't believe or aren't fully committed. I think he's a great example of being more committed to the Lord than anything or anyone else. It's so hard to do, but if a king can do it, we should be able to do the same thing.
I still stick by what I said in the previous comment, you are a way better writer than Don.
When I read the title, I immediately thought of this story in the Bible!! I have been reading it straight through and I read this last week I think! I loved when I read the words "Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" after reading about so many kings and how they didn't go with God. I looked back through my journal and saw that I compared him to our presidents. It seems that with the world the way it is, maybe none of them are really listening to God. But when I read this about Asa, it gave me the hope that one day, God would bring someone to head up our country who did His will instead of his OWN will (or her, with the times changing and all!). I loved reading this because you brought out a totally different perspective I had not seen at first. Thanks Em, I always love your words!!! :) (And you!)
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