286 He obeyed the commandment which God gave to Moses and manifested a righteous indignation against the false gods and heathen altars. He took no half way measures in the matter (Ex. 34:13, 14) “But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves; For thou shalt worship no other god; for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Asa would never have worshipped with a Unitarian, nor would he have called him “ brother.” He was a man after the fashion of Paul, the apostle, who said to Elymas, the sorcerer (Acts 13:iO) “O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,'wilt thou not cease to per vert the right ways of the Lord?” God needs preachers and Sunday School teachers who will loyally vindi cate His righteousness by standing firm for the whole Word of God. (2) ASA’S VISION FOR JUDAH, vs. 5-8. Asa not only broke down the abomin able works of Satan, but he built up the waste places. These two things are essential:The destructive policy con cerning error— letting the light of God’s Word shine upon the darkness and su perstition of the false prophets; and the constructive policy— building up in the most holy faith (Jude 20) and es tablishing the holy priesthood of be lievers (1 Pet.2:5). This is thework committed to the church. Breaking down altars is es sential, but other altars must be erected. Holy altars must be built in the hearts and homes and churches,— altars dedicated to the holy Son of God. The lives of believers must be set apart for the Lord. His will must be sought. “What wilt thou have me to do?” was the key to the splendid life of Paul. We must know His will before we can do it. He delights to be inquired of, (1 Pet. 3:12) “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.” and in knowing and doing His will,
THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S there is conscious rest.. Is He not al ways saying to sinners and saints, “ Come unto me, and I will give you rest” ? There is a beautiful picture in the New Testament of rest in the midst of aggressive service (Acts 9:31) “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Build up by the Word of God, build up by practical demonstration of a holy life; build up by prayer; build up by denying self and devoting yourself to helping others; and “ the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall garrison your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (3) A S A ’ S VICTORY THROUGH FAITH, vs. 9-12. Asa had not neglected to provide against the danger which always con fronted his people. He provided a police force to protect them; but he did not rely upon that meagre force when the enemy threatened him. A million men did not frighten him. He was no coward. He did not play politics nor seek to appease the enemy. He did the right thing in the right way. He prepared for battle. He marched his little army out as Joshua did at Jericho, Faith in God knows no fears. Faith in God does not see the outnumbering host. Faith’s eye is Godward, not out ward nor inward. This prayer of Asa’s was well worth the battle that Judah fought, for it has proven a help to tens of thousands of saints, (v. 11) “And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, It is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power; help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.” It would be well worth the while of every teacher and scholar to memorize • this. Our Lord says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name I will do, that the
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online