Read 2 Chronicles 14-16
Verse chosen for meditation: 2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV:
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”
Reflect
It was a pleasant and inspiring read until Chapter 16. In the earlier 2 chapters, all of which chronicle the reign of Asa, we read of great reforms in Judah. The reforms involving worship were particularly radical. Suffice to say, idolatry was wiped out from the land. No one practising it was spared, not even his own grandmother.
As a result, there was peace in the land for at least 3 decades of his reign. Peace is always a prized commodity, in any generation or time in history. Nations prosper during times of peace. Advancements are made in the various fields. Lives are better off, too, for the people, thereby attracting immigration. Such was the state of Judah in the days of Asa, for the greater part of it.
Of striking importance in this whole favourable development is the condition of Asa's heart toward God. It was mentioned that he was fully committed to God. He sought the Lord on every matter. At the slightest hint of trouble, he would seek the Lord. He would also do what the Lord commanded of him and depend on God for all his affairs. For to him, nothing was ever too challenging for God. No armies were either too formidable for God. Furthermore, he took great care of the temple and even embellished it. As a result, the temple was not irresponsibly left in a neglected state as it sometimes was, but stood radiant with God's glory. From all of the accounts, it is evident that God was with his people. And God was indeed with Asa.
However, things started to take a different course toward the end of his reign. It could be said that he had forgotten God after enjoying many good years of great comfort and peace.
Relate
Whatever actually made Asa change? Your guess would be as good as mine. However, this is not unique to him alone. It could happen to any one of us. When after a seemingly good run, we start to falter, then stumble. Sadly, after that,
some of us could never pick ourselves up again. Such was the case with Asa. Has it all to do with complacency? Did he have too much of a good life? Or was it simply a change of heart, a heart that was gradually seduced by all the power, acclaim and luxury?
Whatever it is, one thing stood out. Asa stopped seeking and depending on God. This is arguably the saddest part of Asa's entire reign and life. He could have taken a leaf out of his forefather, David's book on how to bounce back stronger, but unfortunately, he didn't.
God certainly did not make a mistake by calling David a man after his own heart. For not many that came after David had a heart the same as his. Pride, often masquerading as self - pity or self - entitlement, would come in the way.
Asa's story is an exemplary case of starting well, doing well, but finishing poorly. There's no possible way of telling if any one of us would fall along the way, though it's clear that the further we drift, the more likely we would fall. But even then, there is still a way back. We've seen it in the prodigal son. Therefore, the greatest tragedy is not making mistakes, but having a mistaken understanding of ourselves and God. For anything that prevents us from coming back to God is a mistaken understanding, made all the much harder by pride.
Here, we see the Success Paradox in operation. In Proverbs, we are told of a similar phenomenon of pride going before a fall. (Proverbs 16: 18) This is possible when success and all its trappings, including peace, go to our head.
Chapter 16 certainly doesn't make for a pleasant read. I only wish Asa could have ended as committed to God as he was in the beginning. Or at least, gained back his footing at the very end. I'm not referring to the debilitating disease of his feet, but his spiritual footing.
We learn that the Lord not only searches for the lost, but he also combs the entire earth for those whose hearts are fully committed to him so that he could give them his strong support. This great support can be expected by those who are within the zone of his search.
Do we then know if we're off the mark or within God's radar? The single most important thing to have to ensure that we come within his field of vision is a committed heart, or blameless heart.
That said, how would God see us now, our heart that is? And how would he see us a year later and a year after that and so on? Will we be the same man or woman as we are now, if not a better version of ourself? Or will we be an altogether different man or woman toward him?
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.
Rest
Lord, may we not only begin well but also end well. Let not pride in whatever form get in our way of coming back to you when we start drifting away. But let us feel your strong support if our hearts are fully committed to you.
Naville Chia
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