1 Kings 15

Bible Passage: 1 Kings 15

Notice Asa’s good beginnings in 1 Kings 15:9-15. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord(verse 11), following God’s way, not his own nor the ways set by his previous predecessors who did evil in God’s eyes.

This verse stood out for me when I read today’s passage. Have I been doing what is right and pleasing to God since I got baptised?

Drawing nearer to the end of another year made me ponder abit about my spiritual faith. Have I been leading a life that is pleasing to Him?

Pleasing the Lord is not only our primary aim, but is something that we should all strive to excel at, because we love Him(2 Corinthians 5:9).

September has been such a busy month, packed with many church activities and events. While we are occupied with preparations for these programs, do we lose ourselves amidst the hustle and bustle to get things done?

Are we still focused on the main purpose that is to glorify God, to serve Him and edify one another?

Many times when it comes to church work we get the same old feeling that we are the only ones doing it. While we do not bear a corrosive hatred to those who could but fail to lend a helping hand, this bitterness could intensify if we don’t guard our hearts.

In other instances, when decisions have to be executed, disagreements and thus unhappiness may arise among church brethren. It is sad and discouraging to see that differing views on church work could be the cause of rift among members.

God would never be pleased with work completed with a grudging and self righteous heart.

While he had good beginnings, Asa made some very serious mistakes later on(1 Kings 15:16-22)

In an attempt to protect his kingdom in the war, Asa took the treasuries of God’s house to buy the favour of Ben-Hadad of Syria, so that he would withdraw support from Israel. He trusted in political alliances for defence rather than in God.

So far in our bible reading this year, we read of many characters who, like Asa, took matters into their own hands instead of trusting in God.

Could we finally learn from history instead of merely reliving it?

It is no different for us today. We have the Holy Spirit and the promise of God that He will never leave us or forsake us. When our trust is in God, we could not be more secure.

All in all, Asa was a good man who did not finish well. He ruled well and sought after God for many years, yet he failed in a significant challenge of his faith and what’s more, he refused to hear God’s correction.

The last years of his life was marked with unbelief, his heart was hardened against God, and he oppressed his people.

At one time he was a faithful child of God but failed to seek Him continually, thus losing a relationship with Him.

These are several important lessons that are illustrated by Asa.

We must always do what is right in the sight of God (Matthew 7:21). We must trust in Him and in His will, and we must seek the Lord all of our lives to avoid an undesirable end.

May God guide us!