Day 26

Revival Under King Asa



2 Chronicles 13:1-22, 2 Chronicles 14:1-15, 2 Chronicles 15:1-19, 2 Chronicles 16:1-14, John 14:21

BY Erin Davis

Since the days of Cain and Abel, humankind has made its way to the battlefield. Brother against brother, tribe against tribe, nation against nation: as image bearers broken by sin, we are prone to draw swords in our quest for power and prosperity. 

Every history class covers the basics of this cycle. Someone rises to rule. Someone else wants what they have. Armies are assembled. Bullets fly. Warriors perish. White flags rise. Rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat. 

But that’s just the lower story. There is another battle of greater significance. Here, the armies of heaven fight the armies of darkness, and the battle belongs to the Lord (1Samuel 17:47). Though 1 and 2 Chronicles are the archives of Israel’s kings, they also have a more interesting story to tell. 

When Abijah squared off against Jeroboam, humanly speaking, his loss seemed certain. What are four hundred thousand warriors against an army of twice as many men? (2Chronicles 13:3). Yet Abijah faced his enemy unafraid and announced, “But as for us, the LORD is our God. We have not abandoned him…” (v.10). Swords made of matter clashed at the same time supernatural weapons were unleashed, revealing that this wasn’t Abijah’s war to win. 

Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. 
—2 Chronicles 13:15 ESV

The next chapter records a new king and a new war. This time King Asa faced an enemy horde of one million soldiers (2Chronicles 14:9). Once the battle lines were drawn, Asa called out to the general of heaven. 

Then Asa cried to the Lord his God, “LORD, there is no one besides you to help the mighty and those without strength. Help us, LORD our God, for we depend on you, and in your name, we have come against this large army. LORD, you are our God. Do not let a mere mortal hinder you” (v.11).

And again: “So the LORD routed the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled” (v.12).

Because of Asa’s devotion to the God who rescued him in battle, his nation enjoyed a brief moment of peace (2Chronicles 15), but like so many other rulers, Asa soon forgot his battlefield lessons and fought on his strength. Like those before (and after!) him, Asa’s self-sufficiency drew his people back into war. 

“For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him. You have been foolish in this matter. Therefore, you will have wars from now on” (2Chronicles 16:9).

You may not hold political power. You may never command a platoon. Still, the Spirit has preserved the lessons Israel’s kings learned the hard way so that we might choose the more excellent way (Romans 15:4). 

You have battles to fight today. I have skirmishes of my own. We only have two choices. Will we call out to the God of armies or rely on our own meager strength? Wars are won in the heart. Battles shake out in the heavens. Whenever the battle strikes, may we repeat the prayer that saved Asa’s hide. O Lord, we rely on you (2Chronicles 14:11).

Post Comments (43)

43 thoughts on "Revival Under King Asa"

  1. Claire B says:

    ♥️

  2. Claire B says:

    Kelly NEO, ironically I just read that today.

  3. Mercy says:

    Happy St Patrick’s day dear she’s. @Kelly (Neo), thank you for sharing the prayers of St. Patrick, a wonderful apostle of Jesus who brought the gospel to Ireland. I read some sources that he casted out demons, raised 33 people from the dead, used a shamrock (three-leaved clover) to teach of Holy Trinity, performed thousands of miracles, endured slavery, and even banished snakes from the island (he was bitten by a deadly one during a fast and he banished snakes from utter frustration and they were not seen after… Wow). Yet the world out there might focus on green beer and getting drunk on this day. But… praise be to our God for such a mighty patriarch of faith and the legacy St Patrick left behind.

    Thank you ladies for sharing your insights and wisdom in the commentary today. What cherished friendships and wonderful sisterhood we have in Christ and one another.

    PRAYING…
    @Catherine: for your friend Marsha’s cancer diagnosis. May God heal and destroy this sickness.
    @Rebecca W: praying for your son Brett, may God redeem mistakes and reverse consequences.
    @Mari V: congrats on the great turn out at court. Praise Jesus.
    @Jen Anapol : praying that your child gets well soon and more rest for you.
    @Foster mama: hopefully the phone call went well, and God’s grace and mercy to cover any possible missteps.

    I hope you all have a fantastic weekend :)
    Be blessed dear sisters.

  4. Rebecca W says:

    Reading back through these comments before I go to bed and lifting your requests. @Mari V- so, so happy that God was with you as you faced your court date, and the outcome was favorable! Keep staying strong and showing God’s love to your kiddos.
    @ Jennifer Anapol- such a tough cycle to be caught in when your sweet babe is sick and you both lose precious sleep. Prayers for healing and rest. ❤️

  5. Mari V says:

    @Rhonda J. Your kind words brought me to tears and even read it to my daughter. THANK YOU for your encouragement! PLEASE pray for my son. He called me on my 10 minute break (and his 10 minute break) and is having some second thoughts about a relationship! Pray for him to hear the voice of GOD and not his.

  6. Jennifer Anapol says:

    I love the wisdom in these chapters. We do all have battles that we fight everyday. We have a choice in that battle, will we rely on ourselves or the Lord? The battle I am facing right now is sickness with my baby. She keeps getting sick and this affects her sleep; which in turn affects my sleep. I am feel so bad for her, and I’m exhausted. I can’t do this on my own strength. I pray I would choose to rely on Jesus to get me through this time. ❤️

  7. Tami C says:

    “They had sought him with all sincerity, and he was found by them”. Praying that God sees our hearts as we seek Him daily through His word and that he gives us eyes to see Him. Great comments ladies. I am learning so much. Have a great weekend!

  8. Rhonda J. says:

    @Mari V Hallelujah! I have prayed in this journey with you from afar, here in this special place, and I am so pleased that God has made his great presence be known in your life! It is especially hard to see when we are in the hard spaces and he is so close that he is hard to see, but then we can look back and KNOW we couldn’t have done it without Him, and he sends us and gives us just what we need when we need it. You will be a beacon for other women I am sure! And what a great example of a strong woman to your daughter and son!! I can’t wait for that big hug one day!! One day we are going to have a big SRT party!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *