Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. Asa then took the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. ““Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.” Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim and all the store cities of Naphtali. When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and he abandoned his work. Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using. With them he built up Geba and Mizpah. The events of Asa’s reign, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. In the thirty-ninth year of Asa’s reign, Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers.
– 2 Chronicles 16:1-6, 11-13
Devotion
It is incredibly difficult to reconcile the first 35 years of Asa’s reign with the last six years. For three and a half decades he was a model of faith and dependence upon the Lord. Yet in the last six years of his life he turned to everyone and everything except God to help him win his battles and overcome his challenges. He trusted in the Syrians for protection. He trusted in the failed weapons of Baasha. He trusted in his own power and anger. While earlier his heart had been responsive to God’s Word, he now had no room for any “word from God” that countered his choices.
The Big Question
It takes courage to speak the truth in a difficult situation. God sent Hanani to approach King Asa with a rebuke (2 Chronicles 16:7-10). Hanani had to choose to walk in faith and obedience to God, regardless of Asa’s reaction. He paid a high price for his faith and obedience. Speaking the truth in a difficult situation can be costly; but God celebrates over his children whom He can count on to be faithful representing his truth. Is God calling you to speak truth in a difficult situation? If so, what will you do?
Spend some time in prayer meditating on what God has revealed to you through His Word today.