Reading
SAA Notes
Asa falls away from his first love of the Lord. He puts his trust in the King of Assyria and not in his Lord God. Consider the words of the prophet Hanani to Asa in 16:7-10. The Lord does not heal Asa.
SJA Notes
* Mighty God, delivery us from our enemies, O LORD! We have fled to You for refuge. Teach us to do Your will, for You are our God!
“Yet even in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but sought help from physicians.”
This is a strong word for us today.
Asa, who was a king that had a heart wholly true to the Lord, went astray in his pride and self-reliance.
For us – there is nothing different in situation than with Asa. We can very easily slip into seeking the world’s help before coming to God. Seeking the help of human experts rather than first seeking God’s wisdom.
It is not that seeking is wrong, but what do we seek FIRST?
God is our king. He is the Great Physician. The Good Shepherd. The Prince of Peace.
It is HIM that we need to go to first, to rely on for direction across every aspect of life, to cast all and every one of our cares and anxieties on Him (for He cares for us).
Where once Asa relied on God, in this passage we see him relying on himself and others.
Jesus gives us such a clear command regarding this in Matthew 6,
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
* Faithful God,
Your love is steadfast, Your faithfulness without end.
Please mark us as a loving people, showing our love for You in how we love those around us.
Please mark us as a faithful people, showing our faithfulness in seeking You first, before all else.
More Jesus. Less us.
Amen.